Supermoon Lunar Eclipse Tonight!
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (128835)
Gainesville, Florida
September 27, 2015 5:15pm CST
I had heard a few days ago that there would be a lunar eclipse tonight. What I didn't realize is that this is going to be a spectacular one, and one of the best eclipses we have gotten to see since 1982! Tonight's full moon happens to be a supermoon, which is the term used to describe when the moon is at it's closest orbit to earth. The moon's orbit around the earth is slightly more oval than it is circular, so the moon is 31,000 miles closer to the earth at it's closest point than it is when it's at its farthest point. According to NASA, the result is a full moon that appears 14% larger and 30% brighter! The view of tonight's lunar eclipse will vary depending on your location around the globe, but for where I live it will start at 8:11pm EST (U.S.). The total eclipse in my location will start at 10:11pm EST, and last for one hour and 12 minutes.
It's been cloudy and raining here in my location all day, but the weatherman says the clouds are going to clear out in time to view the eclipse. I sure hope so, as the next supermoon eclipse won't take place again until 2033!
Are you planning on watching the lunar eclipse tonight?
8 people like this
9 responses
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
I bet the big red moon lunar eclipse looked awesome on the other side of those clouds! I sure wish I could have seen it! Guess I'll have to wait until 2033 to see the next one of this magnitude!
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
31 Oct 16
@moffittjc I swear, EVERY time something interesting happens in the night sky, my dad and I get excited but every time without fail, it gets very cloudy here. So we miss it. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Oct 16
Oh, good, it just doesn't happen to me then! I have the same problem....without fail, it's always cloudy whenever we have a celestial event taking place.
1 person likes this
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
28 Sep 15
I've been watching it since about 10:00. I'm in New York. It's been spectacular, but now it's time for bed...
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
28 Sep 15
On September 27th, 2015 there will be a very rare event in the night sky – a supermoon lunar eclipse. Watch this animated feature to learn more. This video i...
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
28 Sep 15
@moffittjc Aww too bad. The sky was perfectly clear for us last night. There was a breeze blowing the newly fallen leaves, it was a perfect harvest Moon. The first one I've ever seen, it's was cloudy for the others this year.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
I stayed up late last night in the hopes there would be a break in the clouds just long enough for me to catch a glimpse, but to no avail.
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
28 Sep 15
@moffittjc I know what you mean. I was looking out my window last night to see if I could see it. But no luck at all. If it were clear I would have been outside with my iPhone filming it.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
It's cloudy here too, so I'm missing the eclipse. I was really looking forward to it!
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
28 Sep 15
Yes, it got cloudy in the afternoon but now it's perfectly clear skies. The moon is a big one tonight!
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
I'm so upset...it's still very cloudy and overcast here where I live. I can't see anything!
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
28 Sep 15
@moffittjc Well the clouds have moved in here too. It's still in the partial eclipse phase right now, and it poofs behind clouds from time to time.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
@OneOfMany It's too bad this didn't occur a month later, on Halloween night. Now that would have been fun to have a blood moon lunar eclipse on that night!
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
28 Sep 15
When I heard about the lunar eclipse I was hoping for good weather and even though it rained earlier it will be clear skies tonight. I am anxiously awaiting the event especially since I only have to go into my backyard to see it.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
I am jealous! I can't see the eclipse due to the cloud cover.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Sep 15
That would be really awesome! I hope you get some good pictures!
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
27 Sep 15
It'll be about 3 a.m. when it is seen in Great Britain, so I may not still be up! The sky is beautifully clear and i have a great view of the Moon from where I am sitting now.
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Sep 15
It is still raining here where I am in the U.S., so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it clears up in the next few hours. I really want to see this eclipse!
