The celestial bodies are aligning for a spectacular sighting next Sunday, as the full moon will be at its closest point to Earth during a total lunar eclipse for the first time in over 30 years.

The lunar eclipse on Sept. 27 will occur when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, known as perigee.

This coincidence has led experts to dub Sunday’s astronomical event a “Supermoon Eclipse.” The last time it was observed was in 1982 and the next will be in 2033, NASA says.

Randy Attwood, executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), said the “Supermoon Eclipse” is more of a coincidence than anything else, and this eclipse will not look much different from past ones.

But it will be more convenient for people to watch since Sunday’s eclipse will be visible in the early evening. “The nice thing about it is if you can see the moon, you can see the eclipse. It won’t be difficult to spot at all,” Attwood said.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the moon and the Sun, leaving the moon in the Earth’s shadow. The moon will have a reddish hue because all the sunlight is grazing the Earth’s horizon, the RASC explains, similarly to when sunsets sometimes appear red.

The Earth’s shadow will begin to dim the moon after 8 p.m. Toronto time and the partial eclipse will be visible at 9:07 p.m. The total eclipse is expected at just after 10 p.m., Attwood said. “It’s the kind of thing that someone can watch starting at 9 o’clock.” The moon will be in the southeastern sky.

The eclipse is perfectly safe to look at with the naked eye, Attwood added, and star-gazers should try to find an unobstructed view of the sky away from city lights for the best view.

“The regular eye is fine . . . binoculars give a really nice view. At this point the weather forecast looks good,” he said.

The moon’s proximity to the Earth during perigee — almost 50,000 km closer than at the farthest point in its orbit, known as apogee — makes the moon appear 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than at apogee, NASA says.

Where can you watch the lunar eclipse in the GTA?

The David Dunlap Observatory’s (123 Hillsview Dr. in Richmond Hill) viewing party is already sold out for Sunday — but there are several other events planned in the GTA.

The RASC will host an event at the E. C. Carr Astronomical Observatory after 8:30 p.m.

The York University Astronomical Observatory is hosting “Luna Palooza” at the observatory and nearby Pan Am Stadium grounds (4700 Keele St) at 8 p.m. The University of Toronto is also preparing a viewing at 8:30 p.m. at King’s College Circle on the St. George campus.

The Ontario Science Centre has organized “A Celestial Celebration” outside the main entrance (770 Don Mills Rd) and a special screening of Hubble at 7 p.m.

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Correction – September 29, 2015: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly referred to apogee as when the moon is at the farthest point in its rotation.