Total Lunar Eclipse, Supermoon to Provide ‘Dazzling’ Show Wednesday

A rare total lunar eclipse coupled with a supermoon will provide “one of the sky’s most dazzling shows” early Wednesday, according to Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The eclipse, when the moon falls directly into Earth’s shadow, will take place from 1:47 a.m. to 6:49 a.m., JPL said in a written statement.

But the period of “totality,” when the moon is completely covered by the Earth’s shadow, will last for only about 15 minutes, beginning at 4:11 a.m.

Generally, lunar eclipses result in the moon darkening and turning a reddish shade.

This time will be extra special, as it coincides with a “supermoon,”  according to JPL.

“The full moon will also be near its closest point to Earth in its orbit, called perigee,” the statement explained. “While at perigee, the Moon appears slightly bigger and brighter from our perspective on Earth, so it’s often referred to as a ‘supermoon.’”

In the U.S., the total eclipse will only be visible from the West Coast. Skygazers in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. will be able to view a partial eclipse.