Jan 31, 2018 20:55 (IST)
5 things to know about the Super Blue Blood Moon
- This is the first "Super Blue Blood Moon" to occur in about 150 years. The last one was in 1866.
- It occurs when a blue moon (a second full moon in a calendar month), a super moon (when the moon is unusually close to Earth, making it bigger) and a blood moon (a moment during an eclipse when the moon appears red) coincides for the.
- The next super blue blood moon is expected to happen on December 31, 2028, though it won't be quite as large since the moon will not be at its closest point to Earth. Another will happen on January 31, 2037, a total of 17 hours before perigee.
- The total lunar eclipse will make the moon appear red, a blood moon. The reddish tint -- or blood moon -- happens due to "the effect of all the sunrises and sunsets all around the planet reflecting off the moon.
- The moon will appear 14% closer to the earth and 30% brighter during this lunar phenomenon.