On January 31, Canadians in the western provinces will get to see a rare lunar event: the “super blue blood moon eclipse.”
Yes, you read that right.
The moon, which will be occurring for the first time in 150 years, is a unique mashup of lunar events. It’s a super moon eclipse, a blue moon (the second full moon in the month), and it will take on a red tinge as the Earth moves between it and the sun, making it a blood moon.
NASA explained in a press release that the red colour occurs because, during the event, a little bit of sunlight gets through the Earth’s atmosphere, which causes it to bend and gives the moon a distinctive tinge.
According to Global News, this spectacular event will be visible in the early hours of the morning. People living in the Pacific Time Zone will have to get up to see it between 4:52 am and 6 am, with peak visibility occurring at 5:30 am.
Those living in the Mountain Standard Time will get to sleep in a little more, with the moon reaching its greatest point at 7 am.
Unfortunately, the Eastern and Maritime provinces will miss the event entirely, as the moon will set before the eclipse.
Those who are in the right time zone and do get up early enough will be treated to a sight that hasn’t graced the planet’s skies since 1866.
So, set your alarms and get out your telescopes!
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