If you missed the supermoon earlier this January, don’t worry because you can catch it again sooner than you think!
According to a statement on NASA’s website, two supermoons are actually taking place in January 2018.
The first supermoon took place on 2nd January 2018, while a second one will occur on 31st January.
NASA has since dubbed the events part of a “Supermoon Trilogy”.
Source: ScienceAtNASA | YouTube
The supermoon on 31st January will be extra special, though, because it will also be a blue moon since it’s the second full moon in the same month. An excerpt from NASA’s statement reads,
“…the January 31st supermoon will feature a total lunar eclipse, with totality viewable from western North America across the pacific to Eastern Asia. The Moon’s orbit around our planet is tilted so it usually falls above or below the shadow of the Earth.”
“About twice each year, a full Moon lines up perfectly with the Earth and Sun such that Earth’s shadow totally blocks the Sun’s light, which would normally reflect off the Moon.”
Source: Forbes
Source: View of Life
“The Moon will lose its brightness and take on an eerie, fainter-than-normal glow from the scant sunlight that makes its way through Earth’s atmosphere. Often cast in a reddish hue because of the way the atmosphere bends the light, totally eclipsed Moons are sometimes called ‘blood moons.’”
A scientist from NASA’s headquarters described the phenomenon, saying, “We’re seeing all of the Earth’s sunrises and sunsets at that moment reflected from the surface of the Moon.”
Source: Firdaus Latiff
Since 31st January’s supermoon will also be a blue moon, which happens once every two and a half years, this upcoming phenomenon will be a “super blue blood” moon! Wah!
So, remember to make sure you’re free to catch this incredibly rare supermoon!
Also read: Malaysians Blessed With Rare Supermoon Sighting On 14th and 15th November
