Supermoon meets total lunar eclipse, all you need to know about timings, appearance

The year’s first lunar eclipse will occur on January 20 and 21 and on this day the Super Blood Wolf Moon will also be seen. This will include a total lunar eclipse, super blood moon and a Wolf Moon. However, the Super Wolf Blood Moon or the total Lunar Eclipse 2019 will not be visible from any place in India, other parts of Asia and Australia.

What is the super blood wolf moon?

An eclipse occurs when the moon travels through Earth’s shadow, and the sun, moon and Earth line up perfectly. The super blood wolf moon is a lunar eclipse that will last 62 minutes in totality. The term ‘Super Wolf Blood Moon’ refers to Total Lunar Eclipse during which the takes on a reddish glow from refracted light as the heavenly bodies move into position - hence the name "blood moon". The more particulate or pollution in the atmosphere, the redder the moon appears. It can also appear black, grey, or brown. According to NASA, the colour depends on the amount of dust and clouds in the atmosphere.

A wolf moon is a term given to the January full moon each year. The name was traditionally used by Native Americans, according to the Independent. The Old Farmer’s Almanac said: “In Native American and early Colonial times, the full moon for January was called the Full Wolf Moon. It appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages.”

Where will it be visible?

The eclipse will be visible in North and South America and parts of Western Europe. However, the Super Wolf Blood Moon or the total Lunar Eclipse 2019 will not be visible from any place in India, other parts of Asia, except a few, and Australia. Some parts of Europe and Africa will also be a witness to this event. 

Timings:

In North America, the eclipse will begin at 9.36pm ET on January 20 but will likely not be visible until 11.41pm ET and will end at 12.43am ET on January 21. It will be the first total lunar eclipse visible entirely in the US since 2010.

The entire event, which includes total as well as partial lunar eclipse will reportedly last for three and a half hours.

Appearance:

In the first phase, there will be no real difference in the moon. In the second phase, a partial eclipse will appear. About 90 minutes later, it will reach totality. The moon will give a reddish glow. The process then goes in reverse.