Canada to witness Super Blue Moon lunar eclipse next week
There’s no better way to head into a new month than with a sighting of a Super Blue Moon lunar eclipse.
According to NASA, January will end with a display of a total lunar eclipse viewable between western North America and across the Pacific to Eastern Asia.
“About twice each year, a full Moon lines up perfectly with the Earth and Sun such that Earth’s shadow totally blocks the Sun’s light, which would normally reflect off the Moon,” states NASA.
And that’s exactly what will happen from the night of January 30 to the early morning hours of January 31.
“The Moon will lose its brightness and take on an eerie, fainter-than-normal glow from the scant sunlight that makes its way through Earth’s atmosphere. Often cast in a reddish hue because of the way the atmosphere bends the light, totally eclipsed Moons are sometimes called ‘blood Moons,'” NASA said.
Because the last day of January will feature the second full moon of the month, some people call this a “Blue Moon.” As for the “super,” it’s because the moon is also at or near its closest point in its orbit around Earth.
The Weather Network shows much of Canada will see the Total Lunar Eclipse in the early morning hours of January 31.
The path of the Full Moon through Earth’s dim grey penumbral shadow and the deep red umbra. (Scott Sutherland/The Weather Network)
In Quebec and southern/eastern Ontario, The Weather Network predicts a partial lunar eclipse will be visible, as the Moon makes it only part way into the red umbra before it is lost to view beyond the horizon.
Meanwhile, from Northern Ontario to the coast of BC, a total lunar eclipse will visible in the predawn hours, which means this will be worth getting up for.
This eclipse is more visible the farther west the viewer is.
The Weather Network
So set the alarms, and be sure to catch this upcoming natural wonder, especially for those on the west coast!
And don’t forget to have your cameras ready!