Everything You Need to Know About the Super Blue Blood Moon Around the Corner

Like many of us, the moon didnΓÇÖt exactly start off 2018 with a bang. Instead, as the clock struck midnight and revelers around the world celebrated, the moon was in ΓÇÿwaxing gibbous,ΓÇÖ a phase that is just about as mediocre as it soundsΓÇösomewhere between a new moon and a full moon. ItΓÇÖs the astronomical equivalent of ringing in the new year curled up on the couch with a bottle of wine and a good book: cute and comfortable, but missing the dazzle of a typical New YearΓÇÖs Eve party. (WeΓÇÖre not judging you though, Miss Moon, we love our PJs too.)

But the moon isnΓÇÖt about to sit out on all of the raucous fun of 2018. In fact, sheΓÇÖs planned a pretty major comeback for January 31^st, a raincheck for her mellow December 31^st, one might say. And if the name of the comeback is any indication of whatΓÇÖs in store for the actual event, it looks like weΓÇÖre in for quite the ride. The super blue blood moon is around the corner. Are you ready for it? HereΓÇÖs everything you need to know.

#1 WHAT DOES ΓÇ£SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOONΓÇ¥ MEAN?

(Aside from sounding really, really badass). To understand the meaning of the name, letΓÇÖs break it down word by word:

+ SUPER: Supermoons are full moons that occur during the point in the moonΓÇÖs orbit that brings it closest to the earth. Because of the moonΓÇÖs proximity, it appears much brighter and larger than it would otherwise. Supermoons occur relatively frequently, with an average of four to six supermoons each year.

+ BLUE: Blue moons are the second full moon to occur within a calendar month. Does the phrase ΓÇ£once in a blue moonΓÇ¥ ring a bell? As you may have guessed, blue moons are relatively rare, occurring only once every two to three years. Spoiler alert: blue moons are rarely blue in color. It is possible for the moon to appear blue in color, but one of the only known circumstances to make this happen is the heavy presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

+ BLOOD: A ΓÇ£blood moonΓÇ¥ is simply the colloquial term for a total lunar eclipse. WhatΓÇÖs a total lunar eclipse? Typically, the moon is illuminated by light from the sun that reflects off of it, giving us that beautifully silvery glow we know and love. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes through EarthΓÇÖs shadow, causing parts of the moon to disappear from our sight. While the moon is in EarthΓÇÖs shadow, it still receives a small amount of sunlight from the sun. With less light to reflect back down to earth, the moon appears to be a darker, more reddish color; hence the nickname ΓÇ£blood moon.ΓÇ¥

A super blue blood moon is simply the occurrence of all three of these events at the same time: itΓÇÖs a full moon at the moonΓÇÖs closest point to earth during its orbit, itΓÇÖs the second full moon of the month, and it passes through EarthΓÇÖs shadow.

#2 HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Though it seems unlikely with the number of factors playing in to such a lunar event, Time reports that according to retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak, the last total lunar eclipse during a super blue moon was as recent as December 30, 1982. Other sources estimate that itΓÇÖs been as long as 150 years since the last event of this kind, but weΓÇÖre going to stick with the NASA astrophysics on this one. If youΓÇÖre wondering why ΓÇ£super blue blood moonΓÇ¥ doesnΓÇÖt sound familiar, it might be because the naming terminology really only became popular in the last two decades.

#3 WHATΓÇÖS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LUNAR AND A SOLAR ECLIPSE?

A lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse involve the same processesΓÇöthey just use different pieces. During a lunar eclipse, the earth comes between the moon and the sun, obstructing the sunlight that would typically reflect off of the moonΓÇÖs surface. During a solar eclipse, the moon comes in between the earth and the sun, blocking sunlight that would otherwise directly be hitting the earth. The big difference to note between the two is how youΓÇÖre supposed to view them. For a solar eclipse, it is extremely dangerous to attempt to view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection. For a lunar eclipse, you arenΓÇÖt looking directly at the sunΓÇÖs rays, but rather a reflection of them. Therefore, there is no eye protection necessary.

#4 WILL THE SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON ECLIPSE MAKE ME ACT DIFFERENTLY?

This is the fun partΓÇöif something as simple as a full moon can change the behavior of flora and fauna, will there be even bigger changes during a super blue blood moon? Astrological expert Susan Miller has some answers for us. According to Miller, eclipses typically accompany big life changes, both endings and beginnings. Since the moon represents personal relationships, a lunar eclipse is a particularly ripe time to see a change in an important relationship. Eclipses are also characterized by changes in illuminationΓÇöyou may receive an outpouring of signs or signals about your life that you havenΓÇÖt noticed before.

Each lunar event is also closely tied to the astrological sign in which it occurs. This super blue blood moon belongs to Aries, the sun sign. Like their mascot the ram, Aries are characterized by fierce leadership, individualism, and determination. If youΓÇÖre an Aries, this is your time to let that Aries flag fly: own your independence and use your fire to take charge of a new and exciting relationship or project. If youΓÇÖre not an Aries, you can still learn from that Ram-like persistence: suit up, take up that task that youΓÇÖve let sit on the back burner for too long, and start the new year with impressive productivity!

#5 WHERE AND WHEN CAN I SEE IT?

The super blue blood moon will be in the sky from sunset on January 30^th to sunrise on January 31st. The peak of the eclipse will be at 5:29 am PST, or 8:29 am EST on January 31st, meaning that west-coasters will have the best chance of a clear viewing. Eastern portions of the U.S. will not be able to see the full eclipse due to the rising sun, but will still likely be able to observe the some of the other signatures of the event, notably the bigger, brighter moon, throughout the night.