Author Topic: Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse coming soon! (Read 423 times)

Incredulous · « **on:** January 11, 2018, 09:27:32 AM »

A Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse That Hasn't Been Seen in 35 Years Is Coming Soon.

By MELISSA CHAN
January 10, 2018
The moon will appear larger, brighter and reddish-orange for some skygazers later this month when a total lunar eclipse occurs during a blue moon and a so-called supermoon, in what scientists say is a rare occurrence.
Much of America could witness the Jan. 31 celestial spectacle, which is a “collision of multiple lunar events,” according to Dr. Noah Petro, a planetary geologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Many have begun calling the combination a “super blue blood moon eclipse.”
On that night, there will be a total lunar eclipse, which happens when the Earth passes between the sun and moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the moon. The lunar eclipse will occur at the same time as a blue moon, a term given to the second full moon of a given calendar month. And it will be considered by some a “supermoon,” or a full moon that’s closer to Earth than usual and can appear slightly brighter and larger than normal.
“A lot of things are happening at once,” Petro said. “It’s a cool event.”
The last time this cosmic coincidence occurred was 35 years ago, according to Ernest Wright, a programmer in the Scientific Visualization Studio at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. While some reports say such a sky show hasn’t happened for more than 150 years, Wright and Fred Espenak, a famed eclipse expert and retired NASA astrophysicist, said the last total lunar eclipse during a super blue moon was on Dec. 30, 1982.
Here’s what else to know about the upcoming total lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon.

In this composite image of seven different photographs the moon is seen as it enters and leaves a lunar eclipse on September 28, 2015 in Glastonbury, England.

Matt Cardy—Getty Images
What will we see during the total lunar eclipse?
Don’t be confused by the term “blue moon,” which has nothing to do with the color of the moon, scientists say. In fact, the full moon will appear red or a burnt-orange hue, which is where it gets its “blood moon” moniker. NASA says this happens because the indirect sunlight that reaches the moon, during a total lunar eclipse, first makes its way through the Earth’s atmosphere, where most of the scattered blue-colored light is filtered out. The moon could also appear blood red, dark brown or gray.
The exact shade will depend on global atmospheric conditions, like the amount of dust in Earth’s atmosphere, at the time of the total lunar eclipse. Petro says there’s a very small chance the total lunar eclipse during a blue moon could even appear to have a blue hue to it, but that would depend on a massive volcanic eruption happening beforehand. Particles in plumes of ash-clouds from such an eruption could scatter away red light, according to NASA.
Whether you’ll see the show also depends on local weather conditions, since cloud cover could partially or completely block the spectacle in some areas.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2018, 01:39:15 PM »

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2018, 02:31:18 PM »

.
Lets all hope the sun doesn't smash into the moon this time!
.
Then the moon would be really blue. And we would, too!
.

happenby · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2018, 03:50:38 PM »

Quote from: Neil Obstat on January 11, 2018, 02:31:18 PM

.
Lets all hope the sun doesn't smash into the moon this time!
.
Then the moon would be really blue. And we would, too!
.

Heh

Author Topic: Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse coming soon! (Read 423 times)

Incredulous

Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse coming soon!

Neil Obstat

Re: Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse coming soon!

Neil Obstat

Re: Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse coming soon!

happenby

Re: Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse coming soon!