Sky watchers are in for multiple celestial treats in January 2018 with two supermoons and a lunar eclipse.
Image Credit: Robin Ohia via Flickr
December 29, 2017 - 1:00 PM
New Year’s Eve revellers will be able to howl at the Full Wolf Moon as the evening coincides with the first of two Supermoons in January.
In the northern hemisphere, the first full moon of the year is traditionally named after howling wolves, according to Space.com, and occurs Jan. 2, 2018, but will appear full the day before and after.
The full moon is also occurring as the moon reaches its closest point to Earth making it a supermoon as well. The moon will be only 356,565 kilometres from Earth, compared to the average distance of 382,900 km. Supermoons appear 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter that full moons.
We can also look forward to a second supermoon on Jan. 31, which is also known as a Blue Moon because it’s the second full moon in the month.
A total lunar eclipse, viewable from western North America, will also take place on Jan. 31 as the full moon lines up with the Earth and Sun such that the Earth’s shadow totally blocks the sun’s light, normally reflected off the moon, according to the NASA science website.
During the eclipse the moon will lose its brightness, taking on a fainter than normal glow from the partial sunlight making its way through Earth’s atmosphere, casting the moon in a reddish hue which is sometimes referred to as a Blood Moon, so that would make the full moon a Super Blue Blood Moon.
Thinking of taking some pictures of the supermoons? Go here for some photo tips.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2017