Total Lunar Eclipse, 28 September 2015, California, Credit: Alfredo Garcia, Jr, Wikipedia
First Blue Moon Total Lunar Eclipse on 31 January 2018, a rare occurrence that last happened over 150 years ago
January skywatchers are in for a rare treat: a Blue Moon, a Total Lunar Eclipse and a Super Moon all in the same month.
A Blue Moon (not exactly blue in colour) is when there are two full moons in the same calendar month and this happens about once every 2.7 years. Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow; and super moons happen when the moon comes closest to Earth and coincides with a full moon. In this case, the super moon also happens to be the day of the total lunar eclipse on 31 January. The last time when all the three events lined up this perfectly was more than 150 years ago on 31 March 1866. Read more