On 31 January, 2018 a total eclipse of the Moon will be visible from eastern Europe, eastern Africa, Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean and North America. During this lunar eclipse, the full Moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow (or umbra) lasting around 5 hours and 10 minutes from beginning to end.

Know What to do and not to do during lunar eclipse.

Why is the 31 Jan, 2018 eclipse considered rare?

Although a total lunar eclipse is not rare (lunar eclipses occur once or twice a year on average), this eclipse coincides with a supermoon as outlined earlier. This is still not that rare as supermoon eclipses can occur every few years or so. What makes this eclipse rare is the fact that it coincides with three significant lunar events. A total lunar eclipse, a supermoon (Perigee) and a blue Moon (when two full Moon’s occur in the same calendar month). Having all three of these possibilities happen at once is quite rare indeed.

The last blue Moon lunar eclipse was March 31, 1866! The next blue Moon total eclipse will be Dec. 31, 2028.

What is this Super blue blood moon?

Super moons occur when the full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest orbit point (perigee) to the planet. During a super moon, the Moon appears upto 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter, according to NASA. Remember most celestial bodies in our solar system have an elliptical orbit. These include the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, as well as the orbit of the Moon. The farthest distance between the moon and the Earth is termed ‘apogee’, while the perigee is the nearest point between planet Earth and its satellite.

The reason this January 31 event is a Super blue blood moon is because this will also be a total lunar eclipse, when the satellite has reddish tinge to it. It is also the second total lunar eclipse in the month of January 2018, and according to NASA, a second total lunar eclipse during a month is called ‘blue moon’. Thus the Super moon has become a “super blue blood moon.”

When the Eclipse — India Timeline

For stargazers in India, the phenomenon will be visible. The country’s first viewers will be from the north-East, who will be able to witness this event between 4:21 PM and 5:18 PM IST. Rest of India will get a chance to see this Super blue blood moon between 5:18 PM IST and 6:21 PM IST. The west coast and parts of Rajasthan will see the celestial event from 6:21 PM IST to 7:37 PM IST on January 31 itself.

Lunar eclipses can be visible from everywhere on the night side of the Earth, if the sky is clear. From some places, the entire eclipse will be visible, while in other areas the Moon will rise or set during the eclipse.

* The Moon is below the horizon in New Delhi some of the time, so that part of the eclipse is not visible.

Watch Live Webcast of 31 January 2018 Lunar Eclipse

Courtesy of virtualtelescope.eu