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‘Super blue blood moon’ chance of a lifetime for moon-gazers
Posted On Jan 29 2018
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Wednesday night will also be a supermoon, when the full moon will be closest to the earth on its orbital journey – a mere 360,198km away. So about every 2½ years, a second full moon, or blue moon, occurs in a calendar month, Testin said. The first occurred on January 2. When we have a super moon, that means the moon is at its closest point to Earth, which makes it appear 15% to 20% larger and brighter. She said Oregonians will be able to see the Total Lunar Eclipse, as long as its dark outside.
In the USA, the phenomenon will best be viewed in Alaska, the Hawaiian islands and the western states. People in Asia, the Pacific and Australia will be able to see the entire eclipse as well. While not all of the USA will get to see the entire eclipse, NASA will be televising it online and giving views from California and Arizona. Plus, you won’t have to worry about those special eclipse glasses from past year.
“Your best opportunity if you live in the east is to head outside about 6.45 a.m. and get to a high place to watch the start of the eclipse”, Johnston said. But the super blue moon will still be passing by, so it’ll be worth stepping outside for a look all the same.
“The rising moon, at 6.21pm will be slightly more reddish in colour than it usually is”. And so if you’re over there on the West Coast, you’re in a good spot. And we’re just squeezing in this second full moon on January 31. That name comes from the reddish tint the moon takes when it passes through the earth’s shadow during a lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse is dramatic, as the earth’s shadow (umbra) completely covers the moon.
The Blood Moon happens when there is a total eclipse of the moon.
December’s full moon, traditionally known as the “cold moon”, marked the first and only supermoon of 2017.
By 5am, the moon will be back in the full light of the sun.
Typically, the ideal time to catch a supermoon is either during the time of the Moon’s rise or before sunrise – when it is low on the horizon and can be seen alongside buildings and other tall structures. Around 4:50 a.m., the lighter part of earth’s shadow will touch the moon.
