Very rare simultaneous supermoon and eclipse expected to hit the sky this weekend

An end-of-times sign or beautiful phenomenon?

A supermoon lunar eclipse is expected this weekend, exciting some people but bothering those who believe it signifies the nearing end of times as cited by some religions. Regardless of the contrasting responses, NASA and a professional photographer have some reminders for those who want to catch the rare event and even made a lasting "impression" of it.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - A red supermoon and lunar eclipse have not been seen together for over 30 years. However, they will appear as a rare treat this weekend. 
The combination is expected to appear on September 26 and can be seen by some parts of the world, weather-permitting. 

The Daily Mail reported that on Sunday the phenomenon would last for one hour and 11 minutes and can be watched by those in North and South America, Europe, Africa and some parts of West Asia and the eastern Pacific.

The eclipse is reported to begin by 9:07pm ET or 2:07am BST.

Only 5 supermoon lunar eclipses have occurred 1990. Supermoons are caused when light bends as the Earth passes between the sun and moon, creating a reddish color in the sky that reflects the colors of the sunrise and sunset.

Aome are wary of the event and believe it is of a larger significance than a mystical-appearing phenomenon. Last Easter's blood moon and this moon will complete the 4th Tetrad, which is said to mark the beginning of the events that would signify the end of the world. 

Some people cite a Bible passage in relation to the impending apocalypse, saying, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord comes."

John Hagee, a Christian pastor and author of Four Blood Moons: Something is About to Change, told the Daily Express "This is not something that some religious think tank has put totgether."
The next of the Tetrad cycle will not occur until 2032. 

When the phenomenon as the full moon passes by the umbra, the dark shadow can be seen by the naked eye but people are advised to bring binoculars to witness it more closely. A broadcast of the supermoon lunar eclipse will be available from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama as a live stream treat from NASA from 8pm until at least 11:30pm ET.

Bill Ingalls, senior photographer from NASA, shared some tips for those who want to snap some photos: 

"Don't make the mistake of photographing the moon by itself with no reference to anything. I've certainly done it myself, but everyone will get that shot. Instead, think of how to make the image creative -that means tying it into some land-based object," he said.

The photographer remarked that using smartphones can also do some wonders after adjusting the light balance, angle and focus. To those with digital SLR cameras, Ingalls recommended to set it up to daylight white balance, which will help capture the moonlight.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online