Placeholder canvas
 
Close
Igniting Ideas For impact

Embarking on a transformative journey through six chapters, we traverse India's landscape, exploring pioneering startups and their revolutionary...

8 months

Why Kerala Is the Best Place to See the ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ Eclipse of Jan 31!

Claimed to have been last witnessed over 150 years ago on March 31, 1866, the skies will surely be a treat for sore eyes with the super blue blood moon!

Why Kerala Is the Best Place to See the ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ Eclipse of Jan 31!

The night of 31st January will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for lovers of the stars, moon, and skies in Kerala to witness an incredibly rare celestial phenomenon—a supermoon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse, will all occur at the same time!

Claimed to have been last witnessed over 150 years ago on March 31, 1866, the skies will surely be a treat for sore eyes with the super blue blood moon!

super blue blood moon Kerala
Representational Image only. Source: Wikimedia Commons

However, it is essential to understand what each phenomenon means in astronomical terms.

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon refers to a full or new moon that is close to the earth (3.56 lakh kms), where the moon appears 14% larger and 40% brighter.

What is a blue moon?

Ever heard the term ‘once in a blue moon?’ This refers to the second full moon in a calendar month. It is also a phenomenon whereby the moon appears bluish owing to smoke or dust particles in the atmosphere

What is a blood moon?

super blue blood moon Kerala
Representational Image only. Source: Pixabay

Though it is not a scientific term and may find references in biblical texts and pop culture, a blood moon refers to the phenomenon of a total lunar eclipse that occurs when the moon travels through the earth’s umbra (the dark central portion of its shadow).

So, during a total lunar eclipse, the sun, the earth and the moon form a straight line. And when this happens, earth blocks any direct sunlight from reaching the moon. The sun is behind the earth, so the sun’s light casts earth’s shadow on the moon. This shadow covers the entire moon and causes a total lunar eclipse.

But even during the process, the moon does not turn completely dark and appears reddish. This is because a part of the sunlight still reaches the moon’s surface indirectly, through the earth’s atmosphere. This appearance of the moon during the total lunar eclipse is referred to as the red moon or blood moon.

Scholars say that the colour of the blood moon may vary from a range of brown to red, entirely depending on the atmospheric humidity and pollution.

If the three phenomena sound so visually-appealing, individually, you can imagine what the final result of the three happening at the same time will be!


Read more: Video: 3 Moons in One Night? Find out What Will Happen on Jan 31st, 2018!


How do you catch a glimpse of this in Kerala?

Speaking to the Times of India, Jayant Ganguli, a technical officer at the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in Kozhikode said, “The partial shadow on the moon would be seen at 4:21 pm, while the complete lunar eclipse would be visible at 6:21 pm. The moon will emerge from the complete lunar eclipse at 7:37 pm and will turn into a partial one by 8:41 pm. Then the moon will be fully visible once again.”

To commemorate the rare occasion, many mass moon watching programmes are being organised across the state, including the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Kozhikode.

Though the phenomenon is visible to the naked eye, the planetarium will allow sky watchers to use their telescopes.

If you don’t catch the one at Kozhikode, you can head to the Priyadarshini Planetarium in the Kerala Science and Technology Museum (KSSTM) in Thiruvananthapuram, which in addition to setting up telescopes for public viewing, will also conduct awareness classes with an astrophysicist.

While the classes begin from 4:00 pm onwards, the sky observation will begin after a short tea break, allowing people to enjoy the view of the moon after sunset.

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

This story made me

  • feel inspired icon
    97
  • more aware icon
    121
  • better informative icon
    89
  • do something icon
    167

Tell Us More


We bring stories straight from the heart of India, to inspire millions and create a wave of impact. Our positive movement is growing bigger everyday, and we would love for you to join it.

Please contribute whatever you can, every little penny helps our team in bringing you more stories that support dreams and spread hope.

Support the biggest positivity movement section image Support the biggest positivity movement section image
Shorts

Shorts

See All
 
X
 
Sign in to get free benefits
  • Get positive stories daily on email
  • Join our community of positive ambassadors
  • Become a part of the positive movement