Products You May Like
The rare total eclipse takes place on Wednesday January 31, combining three lunar phenomenons: A supermoon, a blue moon and a blood moon.
Viewers can expect to see a blue moon – the second full moon in a calendar month – orbiting closer to the Earth than usual, making it seem up to 14 percent larger in the sky.
If that wasn’t enough there will also be a total lunar eclipse, which is often described a blood moon because of they way the moon turns a gorgeous coppery red.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly behind the Earth’s shadow, or umbra, meaning it cannot receive any light from the Sun.
NASA program executive Gordon Johnston said: “The next full Moon will be on Wednesday morning, January 31, 2018, appearing ‘opposite’ the Sun at 8:27 AM EST.
“The Moon will appear full for about three days around the time of the full Moon, from Monday night through Thursday morning, possibly even into the early part of Thursday evening.”
The map below shows which parts of the world fall into the eclipse’s path of totality.
The whole eclipse will be visible in Australia, eastern Asia and parts of Canada, while the west coast of the US is also set for some spectacular views.
Mr Johnston explained: “For the continental US, the viewing will be best in the West. Set your alarm early and go out and take a look.”
He added: “Weather permitting, the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii will have a spectacular view of totality from start to finish.”
A super blue moon eclipse has not be visible in North America for more than 150 years, according to NASA.
Below is a breakdown of what time totality will occur across the United States (All local times):
- Washington DC – 7.51am to 9.07am
- New York City – 7.51am to 9.07am
- Chicago – 6.51am to 8.07am
- Kansas City – 6.51am to 8.07am
- Denver – 5.51am – 7.07am
- Phoenix – 5.51am – 7.07am
- Los Angeles – 4.51am to 6.07am
- Seattle – 4.51am to 6.07am
Mr Johnston said: “On the day of the full Moon, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, morning twilight will begin at 6:15 AM, sunrise will be at 7:15 AM, the Sun will reach a maximum altitude of 33.9 degrees at 12:22 PM, sunset will be at 5:28 PM, and evening twilight will end at 6:29 PM EST.
“By the day of the full Moon after next, Thursday, March 1, 2018, morning twilight will begin at 5:43 AM, sunrise will be at 6:40 AM, the Sun will reach a maximum altitude of 43.7 degrees at 12:21 PM, sunset will be at 6:01 PM, and evening twilight will end at 6:59 PM EST.”
Unfortunately for British skywatchers, the eclipse takes place in the middle of the day UK time when the moon has already dipped below the horizon.
The penumbral stage will not begin until 10.51am GMT, with totality occurring at 12.51pm.
But NASA will be broadcasting the entire eclipse live online for those who are not able to see it in the night sky.
Express.co.uk will have the stream from about 10.30am on January 31.
Elsewhere, the eclipse will enter its blood moon stage late on Wednesday in Australia and New Zealand, and about 6.20pm in India.