Set your alarm clock to wake up before sunrise on Wednesday, January 31st, for a rare lunar trifecta.

The Super Blue Blood Moon, as it is being called, has at least some scientific basis.

No, the moon won't literally turn blue but, any time there is a second full moon in one month, we call the second one a blue moon, hence the phrase "once in a blue moon".

Tonight's moon will be slightly closer thanks to our natural satellite's not-so-perfect orbit.  The moon swings around the Earth in an elliptical orbit, which means it can be slightly farther or closer.  We call its furthest point "apogee" and its closest point "perigee", and it just so happens that tonight's is a perigee moon...or, as it is called by many here in modern times, the "supermoon".

The real treat?  A total lunar eclipse will also take place.  That means the shadow of the Earth will cross the face of the moon, making it take on a reddish hue, and that's where we get the phrase "blood moon".  Some say the shadow will look like "Pac Man" eating away at the moon.

You'll be able to see the Full Snow Moon cross Texas skies from east (rising 5:26 p.m. Tuesday) to west (setting 7:24 a.m. Wednesday), but the eclipse only takes place in the final 30 minutes or so before sunrise.

Earth's shadow will begin partially eclipsing the moon at 5:48 a.m. then the total eclipse begins at 6:52 a.m. The moon will set about six minutes before peak totality, yet we still expect a magnificent show.

Be sure to set your alarms early because this is a fairly rare event.  NASA says this is the first trifecta of its kind in 35 years and it won't happen again for nearly 20 years more.

The eclipse will be visible from Asia and Australia across the Pacific to North America, with the West Coast getting the best view.

If you snap a picture, be sure to send it to us at txphotos@charter.com.