Why The 2018 Super Blue Blood Moon Is So Special

Photograph courtesy of NASA

For the first time in 152 years, a rare celestial phenomenon will grace the skies when three separate lunar events - a blue moon, a supermoon, and a total lunar eclipse coincide on 31st January. The spectacle will be visible in North America, East Asia, and Australia.

A supermoon occurs when the earth's natural satellite orbits closest to the earth making it appear brighter and larger than usual. According to NASA, the moon will be 223,068 miles away from Earth, rather than the usual 238,855 miles during the 2018 lunar eclipse. "Out of the 12 or 13 full Moons that occur each year, only three or four achieve supermoon status," notes a WIRED UK report.

Meanwhile, a 'blue moon' is an uncommon phenomenon where the full moon appears twice in the same calendar month. It appears once in every two years approx.The next monthly blue moon will be on March 31, 2018.

Lastly, there will also be a blood moon on January 31. An incredibly rare celestial phenomenon in which the Moon becomes red or ruddy brown during a lunar eclipse. This happens when the light from the Sun reflects directly on to the eclipsing Moon, says WIRED UK. The redness of the moon depends on factors like pollution, cloud cover or the amount of debris present in the atmosphere. "For example, if an eclipse takes place shortly after a volcanic eruption, the particles in the atmosphere will make the moon look darker than usual," explains Space.com.

The next blue moon total lunar eclipse will occur on December 31, 2028, says NASA.

For interested skywatchers, the best time to watch the event will be 6:48 AM (Eastern Time), right before sunrise.  In addition, if you're planning to click some pictures, check out these handy tips on how to photograph the supermoon by a NASA expert. Meanwhile, those of you who won't be able to see it IRL, you can watch it live on NASA TV starting 5:30 AM (Eastern Time).