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Supermoon and partial lunar eclipse visible Tuesday

Boston, MA - August 19: A supermoon cuts through the clouds. (Photo by Andrew Burke-Stevenson/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

(NewsNation) — Stargazers may be in for a stellar view of the sky Tuesday evening when a partial lunar eclipse combined with a supermoon and harvest moon will be visible.

When is the partial lunar eclipse?

September’s full moon will be a partial lunar eclipse. The moon is expected to start entering the Earth’s partial shadow Tuesday at 8:41 p.m. ET. But NASA says it may be difficult to notice until the top edge of the moon starts entering the full shadow at 10:13 p.m. and the peak of the eclipse will be at 10:44 p.m. 


According to NASA, the moon will stop exiting the full shadow at 11:16 p.m. and the partial shadow Wednesday morning at around 12:47 a.m.

What is a supermoon, and who will be able to see it?

Tuesday night’s sky will include a supermoon. NASA defines a supermoon as either a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is within 90% of its closest to Earth. Full supermoons are considered the biggest and brightest moons of the year.

And in September, the full moon is often called the “harvest moon” due to its association with harvest time in the Northern Hemisphere.

Depending on the weather, all of North and South America is expected to be able to view the partial lunar eclipse and harvest supermoon. Some parts of Europe and Africa may also be able to see it.

Will there be other supermoons?

While there are different thresholds for deciding which full moons qualify as supermoons, NASA says most agree Tuesday evening’s supermoon will be the second of four consecutive supermoons. The next supermoon is expected Oct. 17.

Those who miss out on Tuesday night’s supermoon and partial eclipse combination won’t be able to view another one until October 2033, according to reports.