Those three astronomical events are all converging in the sky on Wednesday, Jan. 31, with a total lunar eclipse occurring in the morning and a brighter-than-normal full moon glowing at night — assuming clouds are not blocking your view.
Here's what you need to know about this big, and rare, day for sky watchers.
If you want to catch the lunar eclipse, you will need to get up early on Wednesday. The earth's shadow should start to cover the moon's face at about 5:50 a.m. Eastern time on Jan. 31, and a partial eclipse will start at 6:48 a.m., with the moon appearing to get darker.
Experts note the moon will be close to the horizon. Therefore, if you are planning to watch the eclipse, find a location that has a clear view of the west-northwest.
At about 7 a.m. on Jan. 31, the maximum phase of the lunar eclipse will take place, with the moon close under the horizon, according to timeanddate.com. If you're in the New York City region, the website says, this would be the best time to check out the eclipse.
Keep in mind, people on the East Coast won't be able to see the moon during its best phase, when it fully turns reddish. They may be able to see the moon as it starts to turn reddish.
West is best, according to the experts.
Although the Jan. 31 eclipse will be a total one, as opposed to a partial eclipse, astronomy experts say people in most parts of the eastern United States will not be able to enjoy the full effect because the moon will be very low in the sky during the eclipse's full phase.
Sky watchers in the western United States will get a much better view of this eclipse, and those in the central U.S. will get a good view.
Although the Jan. 31 eclipse will be a total one, as opposed to a partial eclipse, astronomy experts say people in most parts of the eastern United States will not be able to enjoy the full effect because the moon will be very low in the sky during the eclipse's full phase.
Sky watchers in the western United States will get a much better view of this eclipse, and those in the central U.S. will get a good view.
What is a blood moon?
A blood moon is just another name for a full moon that's going through a total eclipse. The nickname refers to the moon’s rusty-reddish tint, caused by the reflection of sunlight, during the eclipse.
As NASA explains: "A total lunar eclipse happens when the whole moon enters earth's shadow. Some sunlight still reaches the moon, but first it goes through earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere filters out most of the sun's blue light, so the moon looks red."
Astronomy experts say the same filtering process causes the blue sky to turn reddish-orange during sunrises and sunsets.
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