BURY residents should be treated to a rare celestial event this weekend, as the first supermoon lunar eclipse in 30 years takes place.

If the weather stays clear, sky watchers will be able to see a moon that appears brighter and around 14 per cent larger than usual on Sunday night into Monday morning, September 27-28.

As the moon passes through earth’s shadow, it will also appear blood red in colour.

It’s the first time since 1982 that the moon, earth and sun will be correctly aligned to produce a supermoon lunar eclipse, with the next taking opportunity to see it taking place in 2033.

How much of it will I see?

The eclipse is expected to be 100 per cent visible from the UK - assuming it's not cloudy. The weather over Bury between Sunday and Monday is currently forecast to be clear, with patchy cloud.

What time can I see it?

The supermoon will be visible on Sunday evening, with the eclipse beginning early on Monday morning. The entire eclipse process will take five hours and 11 minute, starting at 1.11am on Monday, with partial eclipse from 2.07am. The full eclipse starts at 3.11am with maximum eclipse at 3.47am. The full eclipse ends at 4.23am.

What is a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the earth’s umbra (shadow). The earth’s shadow darkens the moon slightly, before the phenomenon of Rayleigh Scattering (the same effect that makes sunsets appear orange and the sky blue) makes the moon appear blood red.

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the closest pass the earth makes to the moon during its elliptical orbit – known as the perigee. A supermoon can appear up to 30 per cent brighter than at the earth-moon apogee (when the two bodies are furthest from one another).

What happens to the tide?

According to the UK National Tidal and Sea Level Facility, tides will only be an inch or two higher than in the past 20 years.

We’re looking for your images of the supermoon lunar eclipse. Send your images to burynewsdesk@burytimes.co.uk, via Facebook through facebook.com/burytimes, or Twitter @BuryTimes