What Is a Supermoon Lunar Eclipse?

This Sunday, Sep. 27th, the super Harvest Moon passed through the shadow of Earth, creating a spectacular total lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses can occur only at full moon, and the Harvest Moon is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox.

So what exactly is this supermoon lunar eclipse?

NASA breaks it down like this:

• A supermoon is at its closest approach to the Earth, which makes it appear 14 percent larger in diameter.
• A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly behind the Earth into its shadow. This can make the moon appear red, thus earning the name “blood moon.”
• The rare combination of a supermoon and a lunar eclipse results in — you guessed it! — a supermoon lunar eclipse. There have only been five supermoon lunar eclipses since the year 1900. And if you missed the one last night, you’ll have to wait until 2033 to see the next one.

Watch the video below for more details on the science of this rare phenomenon — and tell us in the comments section below whether you caught a glimpse of the supermoon lunar eclipse last night.