Once in a Lifetime Lunar Event: Blue Moon, Supermoon, Lunar Eclipse to Occur at the Same Time

On 31st January, three lunar events will coincide: blue moon, supermoon, and a total lunar eclipse. This was last seen in 1866, 152 years ago.

A blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in the same month. The first full moon of January was on new year’s night, and the second is coming on 31st January. Blue moons happen every 2.7 years.

A supermoon happens when the moon is closest to the earth on a full moon night. The moon is generally 384,400 km away from the earth. But during this supermoon, it will be closer to earth by more than 25,000km (at a distance of 358,994 km).

Blood moon.

And a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth’s shadow. This happens when sun, moon, and earth are aligned, with the earth in the middle. At the peak of the total eclipse, the moon appears reddish in colour, which is why it also called ‘blood moon.’

The convergence of all three events have been given the name ‘super blue blood moon eclipse’.

This even will be visible across the Eastern Hemisphere, where night would have descended and moon would have risen by the time the eclipse starts. In Delhi, the full eclipse will not be viewable. The moon will rise at 5:53 pm in Delhi on the 31st. By this time, the eclipse would already have started. The total eclipse of the moon will still be visible.