Super Blood Moon 2019: When and Where Can You See It?

In a delight of sorts for skywatchers, a Super Blood Moon will appear in the night sky on 20 and 21 January.

The moon turns a reddish hue as it passes through the Earth’s shadow during a lunar eclipse. (File photo used for representation only)

(Photo: AP)

In a delight of sorts for skywatchers and stargazers alike, a Super Blood Moon will appear in the night sky on 20 and 21 January this year. A total lunar eclipse or the Super Blood Moon as it is called, is a phenomenon which occurs when the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are in a straight line.

The colour of the Moon appears red or reddish brown because the Earth blocks the Sun’s light from falling directly on the moon.

A lunar eclipse takes place only during a full Moon.

Sky observers will be able to witness three celestial events – a total lunar eclipse, super blood moon and a “Wolf Moon” or Super Blood Wolf Moon, during this period.

While the Super Moon will be visible to the people across the US and parts of western Europe and Africa, it won’t be visible in most parts of Asia, including India.

Last total lunar eclipse until 2021

Interestingly, this will be the last total lunar eclipse until the next one takes place on 26 May 2021.

When Will It Happen?

A 62-minute-long total lunar eclipse will begin around 10:11 am (IST) on 21 January, according to a National Geographic report.

Most people in Asia, including India, won’t be able to experience this celestial delight which will will last for 3.5 hours.

However, people in Greenland, Iceland, western Europe, and western Africa would be able to view the Super Blood Moon with naked eyes .

(With inputs from National Geographic)