How to watch the super blood wolf moon eclipse in January - Detroit Free Press

Aleanna Siacon Detroit Free Press

Published 12:09 PM EST Dec 26, 2018

The first total lunar eclipse of 2019 — also called a wolf moon — is expected to be both a supermoon and a reddish-copper blood moon.

Basically, folks across the United States may be able to catch a glimpse of a super blood wolf moon eclipse.

In the Eastern time zone, the total eclipse will be visible from 9:36 p.m. on Jan. 20 to 2:48 a.m. on Jan. 21, according to an IndyStar interview with Brian Murphy, director of the Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium and Butler University professor.

Eclipse data from NASA indicates the eclipse is expected to be visible throughout North and South America.

NASA projects the total eclipse duration is expected to last about 1 hour and 2 minutes. While the peak is expected to come at 12:16 a.m. EST on Jan. 21, according to Space.com.

EarthSky Communications, Inc., a Texas-based science focused online site, the Jan. 21 event is also expected to be a supermoon, or "new or full moon closely coinciding with perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit."

While the moniker supermoon sounds gargantuan, and the orb may be closer than normal — moons have to come within 90 percent of its closest approach to Earth to qualify — but EarthSky writers explain that supermoons don't actually look bigger than ordinary full moons.

However, they do appear brighter and may elevate the ocean's tides within a day or two of the event, the site explained.

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According to Space.com, the full moon will become a red-orange color as it enters the Earth's shadow.

Murphy told the IndyStar that this red tint will be most visible between 11:40 p.m. EST on Jan. 20 and 12:43 a.m. EST on Jan. 21.

The first full moon of the year is also traditionally called the "Full Wolf Moon," a name that comes early colonial times, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Looking to spot the super blood wolf moon eclipse, the IndyStar says that no special equipment is necessary.

It's best to view in clear sky or minimally cloudy sky, but Murphy said people should get away from any streetlights and head out to their backyards to see the eclipse.

Contact Aleanna Siacon at ASiacon@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AleannaSiacon.

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