Opportunity Beckons For Nightowls To Catch Rare Partial Lunar Eclipse

A rare spectacle will be visible in the skies tonight. 

A partial eclipse of the Moon will be extra special because it's also a Super Moon, meaning it's closer to Earth.

Astronomy Ireland says it's worth staying up - and even booking tomorrow off work - to watch it between 3.13am and 4.16am.

If you're awake to see it, you will see what looks like a bite's been taken out of the Moon. 

A rare eclipse happening in the early hours of tomorrow morning will be visible to the naked eye and bright enough to be caught on camera.

Between 3:13 am and 4:16 am, there will be a partial eclipse of the Super Moon. 

Those awake to see it will see the Moon clip the Earth's shadow. 

David Moore, Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, says the eclipse will be visible to the naked eye. He said, "You don't need any equipment."

The Astronomy Ireland editor has this advice, if you would like to capture the event: "...if you want a record of it, your camera phone will actually take a picture that you should be able to see the bite being taken out of the moon with."

This is a relatively rare occurrence, and Moore said, "There won't be another one till next year." He added that people should take advantage of the good visibility promised with the good weather predicted for the week, tonight is a rare opportunity as the sky should be clear tonight.