Get Your Popcorn Ready

Ever wonder why the old saying goes, “once in a blue moon?” Well, there’s a lunar trifecta set to occur this week for the first time in 35 years, according to NASA. So it’s happening once in a blue moon (got it)?

Are you ready for the ‘super blue blood moon’ tomorrow? NASA is calling this the ‘lunar trifecta:’ the combination of a super moon, a blue moon and a blood moon or total lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse is when the Earth’s shadow upon the lunar surface gives it a reddish tint. This rare occurrence will light up the sky January 31st and will be viewable from the United States and all over the world. If you are in the Western United States, you are in good lunar hands as this is the best viewing place for this trifecta. Hawaii, Alaska and California will have the best view in the early morning hours of January 31st. In total, the full length of this eclipse will be around 1.25 hours long.

So, what exactly is a blue moon, super moon and/or blood moon? Here’s a brief breakdown of each so you know exactly what you’re looking at!

1. Blue moon: The second full moon in a single calendar month.
2. Super moon: A moon that’s full when it’s at its closest point in its slightly elliptical orbit around earth. A super moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than a micro moon.
3. Blood moon: A total lunar eclipse in which earth’s shadow upon the moon gives it a reddish tint.

Don’t expect the moon to look blue or blood red in color, though, as it all depends on where your vantage point is, the weather, time you look at it, etc. If you miss this one, don’t worry…the next is set to occur in 2037. So there is still time to catch this lunar trifecta!