‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ Coming For The First Time In 150 Years

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Three separate celestial events, a supermoon, a blue moon and a full lunar eclipse will occur simultaneously at the end of January

We are due to witness one of the moon’s most rare and beautiful sights at the end of this month

For the first time in 150 years, a stunning display of celestial bodies will coincide to reveal what is being called a “Super Blue Blood Moon.”

The super blue blood moon is the combination of three lunar phenomena, a supermoon, a blue moon and a blood moon.

“Supermoons” happen when a full Moon is closest to the Earth, appearing bigger and brighter than normal…the fist one appeared on the night of January 1 and the next supermoon in 2018 will be on the night of January 31.

A “Blue Moon” is what you call the second full moon in one month.

A “Blood Moon” is the name given for a view of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse

The lunar eclipse will take place on January 31, and the next one won’t be until 2028.

The EarthSky website provides detailed information on where and when you need to be in order to witness the event.

The Independent reports: The last couple of months have seen some strange evenings for the moon. But it will be 31 January that will be the most dramatic and strange of all, and the one that Nasa is advising people to make sure they catch.

It will be a blood moon, a Supermoon and a total lunar eclipse – all on one night. Some people including Nasa are referring to it as a super blue blood moon, and whatever you call it, it will make for a beautiful, strange night.

Each of the night’s different events is rare enough. Together, they’ve not happened for 150 years.

First, it’s a Supermoon, meaning that it will appear larger and as much as 30 per cent brighter than normal. Supermoons are fairly uncommon, and so this moon would be notable in itself – but that’s just the beginning.

Even that Supermoon is strange in itself. It’s the third of three that have come in a row, after those in December and on New Year’s Day.

And second, the full moon that will rise on 31 January is a blue moon. That doesn’t actually mean it will look any different – but rather that it’s the second time there’s been a full moon in a month. That happens just under every three years.

Third – and probably most notable of all – the same night will see a lunar eclipse. That stunning event will lead to the moon turning a deep, rich red, a sight that has led to it being christened the “blood moon”.

Unlike the other two bits of the stunning lunar night, this part will only be visible to some parts of the world, since it depends on the alignment of the moon, sun and the Earth. When the lunar eclipse happens, the Pacific Ocean will be facing towards the moon – meaning that places like New Zealand, much of Australia and central and eastern Asia will all get a very good view, with some of the rest of Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East getting to see some of it.

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