Watch A Rare Supermoon Total Lunar Eclipse Sunday Evening

By Kate Shepherd in News on Sep 24, 2015 3:55PM

Adler Planetarium

Chicagoans will have a rare chance to see a Supermoon total lunar eclipse on Sunday evening.

The last one occurred more than 30 years ago in 1982 and there won't be another chance to see one for 18 years, according to WGN. Even a regular lunar eclipse won't be visible in the Midwest again until January 2018, according to the Adler Planetarium.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the moon and the sun and casts a shadow, which covers the moon. Only a reddish-colored disc of the moon is visible. Supermoons occur when a full moon’s orbit takes it closest to Earth.

The moon will slip into the Earth’s shadow at 8:07 pm CST on Sunday, according to the Adler. It will continue to darken and change color during the total eclipse from 9:11 pm until 10:23 pm.

The weather forecasts predict that it will be a great night for viewing the eclipse and the Adler is hosting a viewing party. All of the party's indoor activities are sold out but you can still participate in outdoor telescope viewing, astronomy chats and of course, viewings of the eclipse.