Once in a Super Blue Blood Moon
Tonight’s Full Moon is extra special for a trifecta of reasons. Since it’s the second Full Moon of January it is considered a ‘blue moon’. A blue moon is the second full moon within a month, and this typically only happens once every 2.7 years. The last Full Moon occurred on January 1st.
On top of that, it will be a super moon. This is when the Moon is in perigee, meaning the Moon is at its closest distance to the Earth. This makes it appear bigger and brighter.
For the third and final reason tonight’s Moon is a rarity, it will be a total lunar eclipse. This is when the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are in alignment, which allows the Earth to cast it’s shadow on the Moon. This will give it a reddish hue when it totality. Totality will occur Wednesday morning from 6:51 AM until the moon sets at 7:18 AM.
Individually, seeing a blue moon, super moon, or total lunar eclipse really isn’t all that rare. But in combination it doesn’t come around quite so often. The last time the United States saw a blue moon, super moon, and total lunar eclipse occur all at the same time was back in 1866– 152 years ago!
Unfortunately, mid-Missouri will be under partly cloudy skies tonight, which will prevent a full and clear viewing of this phenomenon. We still could see some breaks in the clouds, so it’s still worthwhile to step outside tomorrow morning and look up in the sky. If you snap a photo you would like us to share on our morning newscast email us at weather@kmiz.com. Or post to our Facebook and Twitter.
