This weekend, sky watchers will see a rare astronomical event — the total eclipse of a “supermoon.” The last time this happened was more than 30 years ago.
Sunday’s lunar eclipse is special. It coincides with a “supermoon,” when the moon is both full and closest to Earth in its orbit. That makes the moon appear bigger and brighter than usual.
Arizonans will see the moon rise in the eastern sky just after 6 p.m. Earth’s shadow will already be darkening the lunar landscape to a deep red. That’s why it’s also known as a “blood moon.”
Astronomers say the combination of a total lunar eclipse and a supermoon happens only once every few decades. The next one will be in 2033.
The Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter near Tucson will stream live images of the eclipse online.
Arizona Schedule
| Partial Eclipse Begins | 6:07 p.m. |
| Moonrise | 6:09 p.m. |
| Sunset | 6:14 p.m. |
| Total Eclipse Begins | 7:11 p.m. |
| Total Eclipse Ends | 8:24 p.m. |
| Partial Eclipse Ends | 9:27 p.m. |