Super-moon lunar eclipse will have stargazers seeing red

For the first time in more than 30 years, people across the Americas will get the chance this month to see a supermoon lunar eclipse.

The event starts with a supermoon, which is when a full moon coincides with the moon's perigree - the point in the lunar orbit when it's closest to Earth - making the moon appear larger and brighter than usual. Then the supermoon coincides with a lunar eclipse, when the moon passes directly into Earth's shadow.

It is a rare celestial sight for those of us on Earth. And to give us an even rarer view, this NASA animation shows what the event would look like from the moon:

Supermoon Lunar Eclipse 2015: Full 'Blood Moon' Coverage

by SPACE.com Staff | September 15, 2015 12:24pm ETA total lunar eclipse will spawn a rare and dramatic 'supermoon' blood moon on Sept. 27, 2015.

Supermoons occur when the moon reaches its full phase at or near the satellite's closest approach to Earth, and appears abnormally large and bright as a result. The Sept. 27 event is quite special; the last supermoon eclipse occurred in 1982, and the next won't take place until 2033.

Preview Story: Rare 'Supermoon' Total Lunar Eclipse Coming This Month

The supermoon eclipse, which will grace Earth's skies on Sept. 27, features a full moon that looks considerably larger and brighter than usual. It will be the first such lunar eclipse since 1982, and the last until 2033.

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Infographics and Multimedia:

Story Coverage:

Rare 'Supermoon' Total Lunar Eclipse Coming This Month: The first "supermoon" lunar eclipse in more than three decades will grace Earth's skies this month, as will a partial solar eclipse that most of the world will miss.

Forget the 'Supermoon': What's Actually Happening at Lunar Perigee: You'll probably hear a lot about a "supermoon" over the next few months. This is not a term that astronomers use, but here are some facts about what will actually happen.

Supermoon vs. Minimoon: Sizing Up Earth's Satellite: The so-called "supermoon" has an impressive name, but just how super is the actual event? Taking the true measure of the supermoon means following Earth's satellite at different points on its trip around the planet.

Full Moon Tonight Offers Sneak Preview of September Lunar Eclipse: A full moon will grace the sky tonight (Aug. 29), but it is only a dress rehearsal for next month, when the full moon will undergo a total lunar eclipse.

Editor's note: If you capture an amazing view of the supermoon lunar eclipse or any other night sky view that you would like to share with Space.com for a possible story or gallery, send images and comments in to managing editor Tariq Malik at: spacephotos@space.com.

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.

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