(Eagle News)– Expect three rare lunar events on Jan. 31.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, a lunar eclipse, a blue moon and a supermoon will occur at the same time, an event called a “super blue blood moon.”
PAGASA said the eclipse will begin at 6:49 p.m., Philippine Standard Time, and will end at 12:09 a.m., Feb. 1.
Spectators can see the entire eclipse by 9:29 p.m. in Manila, PAGASA said.
According to the Sky and Telescope magazine, “the last time a complete lunar cover-up took place on the second full moon of the month was December 30, 1982, at least as reckoned by local time in Europe, Africa, and western Asia — locations where the event could be seen.”
“We’ve had a lot of supermoons and we’ve had lunar eclipses, but it’s rare that it also happens to be a blue moon,” said Jason Aufdenberg, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s campus in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“All three of these cycles lining up is what makes this unusual,” he added.
“It’s just a wonder to behold.” With a report from Agence France Presse
