Once in a blue moon

Wednesday, 31 January 2018 08:39

By Taylah Strano

Heads up! No really, keep an eye out tonight for the rare super-blue blood moon, not seen since 1982.

Stargazers, well moongazers, unite for the special lunar event, not seen by the world in 36 years.

People will be treated to a lunar eclipse, a supermoon and a blue moon at the same time.

West Australians will be treated to the lunar trifecta with the forecast for clear skies, while eastern states could miss the whole event due to cloudy conditions, just like they did in December 1982.

But what are a lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon?

A lunar eclipse is where the earth is between the sun and moon, unlike a solar eclipse where the moon blocks out the sun.

A supermoon marks the time the moon is closest to the earth, it would appear around 5 per cent larger than usual.

A blue moon signifies a second full moon in one calendar month, usually a full moon only occurs once a month.

We've been told the best time to view the sky spectacular will be between 8.51pm and 10.08pm.

No need to make special arrangements for viewing, you can do so from your backyard, with experts suggesting you look in a north-east direction.

Australian National University Astronomer Brad Tucker told Seven people should expect somewhat of a light show.

"It'll actually look cool because you'll have a big bright moon that becomes dark, that becomes red or red-orange, then becomes bright again," he said.

"All of this you can see with your eyes safely from all of across Australia."

In Western Australia the eclipse begins at 7.48pm and will last till around 11.11pm.