NewsLocal News

Actions

A rare lunar event happening on Friday the 13th

Posted at 4:14 PM, Sep 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-12 20:41:09-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As if there isn't enough superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th, a rare lunar event will make it feel a little creepier this year.

The full moon will reach its peak on Friday the 13th at 11:32 p.m. Only one percent of full moons fall on this unlucky day with the last time happening on Oct. 13, 2000.

What makes this year's event so special is that the full moon also occurs at apogee - the furthest point in a Moon's orbit. This is also considered a 'minimoon,' which appears 14 percent smaller to the naked eye than a typical full moon.

The last time we had a full minimoon on Friday the 13th was in 1832 and won't happen again for more than 500 years.

This full moon is also considered a harvest moon as it's the nearest to the fall equinox on Sept. 23.