AGXStarseed
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(Not written by me)
The "Super Blood Moon" in January will be a combination of three astronomical phenomenon
Hull and East Yorkshire will be treated to a combination of three astronomical phenomenon in the skies later this month.
Stargazers will be treated to an extremely rare sighting of a Super Blood Moon and, cloud permitting, it will be visible to everyone.
The event, which is a combination of a total lunar eclipse, a Blood Moon and a Supermoon, is rarely seen but will happen this month - peaking in the morning of January 21.
The very best time to see it will be 5.13am and, despite it expected to be clearest to see in North and South America, it will be viewable from East Yorkshire.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A supermoon (Image: Reuters)
A total lunar eclipse is a phenomenon which occurs when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are perfectly aligned.
NASA said the alignment blankets the Moon in the Earth’s shadow, according to Gloucestershire Live.
A total eclipse occurs as the Moon passes through the centre of Earth's darkest shadow - the umbra.
During the upcoming eclipse in January, the total eclipse is expected to last one hour and two minutes.
NASA said: “Lunar eclipses occur about two to four times per year, when the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow.
“In order to see a lunar eclipse, you must be on the night side of the Earth, facing the Moon, when the Earth passes in between the Moon and the Sun.”
What is a Blood Moon?
When the Moon enters the Earth's darkest shadow it almost disappears in the sky - but a trick of the light will paint the Moon a deep red hue. NASA explained: “When the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow, it turns red.
“This happens for the exact same reason that our sunrises and sunsets here on Earth are brilliant shades of pinks and oranges.
“During a lunar eclipse, the only light reaching the Moon passes through the Earth’s atmosphere.
“The bluer, shorter wavelength light scatters and the longer wavelength red light passes through and makes it to the Moon.”
The effect is known as Rayleigh Scattering and is also responsible for the blue colour of some eyes.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon over London
When the Moon approaches within 10 per cent of its closest possible distance to Earth it is classed as a Supermoon.
On the night of the Supermoon, the lunar orb will much look larger and brighter than usual. NASA said some of the best Supermoons can be up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter.
The space agency said: “Full Moons can occur at any point along the Moon’s elliptical path, but when a Full Moon occurs at or near the perigee, it looks slightly larger and brighter than a typical Full Moon.
“That’s what the term ‘Supermoon’ refers to.”
Source: The three rare things which will happen to the moon this month
The "Super Blood Moon" in January will be a combination of three astronomical phenomenon
Hull and East Yorkshire will be treated to a combination of three astronomical phenomenon in the skies later this month.
Stargazers will be treated to an extremely rare sighting of a Super Blood Moon and, cloud permitting, it will be visible to everyone.
The event, which is a combination of a total lunar eclipse, a Blood Moon and a Supermoon, is rarely seen but will happen this month - peaking in the morning of January 21.
The very best time to see it will be 5.13am and, despite it expected to be clearest to see in North and South America, it will be viewable from East Yorkshire.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A supermoon (Image: Reuters)
A total lunar eclipse is a phenomenon which occurs when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are perfectly aligned.
NASA said the alignment blankets the Moon in the Earth’s shadow, according to Gloucestershire Live.
A total eclipse occurs as the Moon passes through the centre of Earth's darkest shadow - the umbra.
During the upcoming eclipse in January, the total eclipse is expected to last one hour and two minutes.
NASA said: “Lunar eclipses occur about two to four times per year, when the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow.
“In order to see a lunar eclipse, you must be on the night side of the Earth, facing the Moon, when the Earth passes in between the Moon and the Sun.”
What is a Blood Moon?
When the Moon enters the Earth's darkest shadow it almost disappears in the sky - but a trick of the light will paint the Moon a deep red hue. NASA explained: “When the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow, it turns red.
“This happens for the exact same reason that our sunrises and sunsets here on Earth are brilliant shades of pinks and oranges.
“During a lunar eclipse, the only light reaching the Moon passes through the Earth’s atmosphere.
“The bluer, shorter wavelength light scatters and the longer wavelength red light passes through and makes it to the Moon.”
The effect is known as Rayleigh Scattering and is also responsible for the blue colour of some eyes.
What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon over London
When the Moon approaches within 10 per cent of its closest possible distance to Earth it is classed as a Supermoon.
On the night of the Supermoon, the lunar orb will much look larger and brighter than usual. NASA said some of the best Supermoons can be up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter.
The space agency said: “Full Moons can occur at any point along the Moon’s elliptical path, but when a Full Moon occurs at or near the perigee, it looks slightly larger and brighter than a typical Full Moon.
“That’s what the term ‘Supermoon’ refers to.”
Source: The three rare things which will happen to the moon this month
