Total Lunar Eclipse During Super Moon This Weekend

I have always been fascinated by both lunar and solar eclipses and the star formations such as the big and little dippers. This weekend, get set for a total eclipse of the moon.One extra feature will make this weekend's lunar eclipse even more special. It will occur during a so-called Super Moon. A Super Moon simply means the moon is in a closer path to the Earth during its rotation. This makes the moon appear larger in the night sky than is the norm.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth lines up between the full moon and the sun. The Earth's shadow covers the Moon, but a little of reddish sunlight still reaches the surface, which leads to the phrase Blood Moon.

The total eclipse of the Moon will start shortly after 9PM Texarkana time Sunday evening and will last over an hour. Where skies are clear it should be visible across North and South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of West Asia and the eastern Pacific.

Sounds like it's going to be quite a show in the sky. Scientists say it will be several decades before another Total Lunar Eclipse occurs during a so called Super Moon.

So take a good long look. Unlike a Solar Eclipse, it is perfectly safe to view a Lunar Eclipse with the naked eye. However, It will improve your viewing if you look through binoculars or a telescope.

Happy viewing.