Lunar eclipse, full 'Snow' moon and rare comet Friday

The rare phenomenon involving a rare comet, lunar eclipse and “Snow” moon will happen Friday evening.

The eclipse is called a penumbral eclipse of the moon, according to NASA, and it’s one of three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial and penumbral.

The "penumbral" lunar eclipse means the moon will not go into the dark inner shadow of the earth (vs. the inner shadow - umbra). So the moon won't look as bright as usual.

The eclipse will be ongoing at moonrise at 6:05 p.m., will be mid-eclipse at 7:44 p.m. and will not be visible after 9:14 p.m.

Images below courtesy "Sky & Telescope":

During the lunar eclipse, you'll see a full moon, nicknamed the "Snow" moon because each full moon has a different name for its corresponding month and February is the month with the highest average rates of snowfall.

A rare comet, named Comet 45P, will make its closest approach to Earth a few hours after the eclipse. But it will be 7.4 million miles away.

The great solar eclipse will be Aug. 21.

Cox Media Group