Eclipse 2019 Australia: What time is the Super Blood Wolf Moon? How to watch lunar eclipse
A TOTAL lunar eclipse will be visible across large parts of the globe this weekend - but what time will the Super Blood Wolf Moon rise? Here is how to watch.
January blood moon signifies ‘cataclysmic’ event claims Pastor
Stargazers get ready for a rare lunar eclipse, dubbed the Super Blood Wolf Moon, taking place from January 20 to 21. The eclipse is “super” as the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit making it bigger and brighter than normal. The “blood” name describes the crimson hue taken on by the moon as red light is refracted into the Earth’s shadow. Many Northern Hemisphere cultures also refer to January total eclipses as “wolf” moons, named after howling wolves heard at this time of year.
What time is the Super Blood Wolf Moon? How to watch lunar eclipse
This week’s spectacular astronomical event lasts five hours and 12 minutes in total.
North America, South America, Greenland, Iceland, western parts of Europe and Africa will see the entire eclipse in full.
Sadly, Australia will not experience the unusual blood moon along with Asia.
But you can still watch through a Time and Date live stream (https://www.timeanddate.com/live/)
Coverage starts at 3am UTC on January 21 - equivalent to 11am AWST, 12.30pm ACST and 1pm AEST.
The stages of the total lunar eclipse are as follows, all times in UTC:
Penumbral starts - 2.36am
Partial starts - 3.33am
Total starts - 4.41am
Maximum - 5.12am
Total Ends - 5.43am
Partial Ends - 6.50am
Penumbral Ends - 7.48am
What is a lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse describes the perfect alignment between the Sun, Earth and Moon.
As the Earth passes between the two, it blocks out the sun’s light and casts its shadow on the moon.
As this happens the moon appears red, lending its nickname the “blood” moon.
When is the next lunar eclipse visible from Australia?
A partial lunar eclipse on July 17 will be one that Australians can watch.
The Sun, Moon and Earth do align but not fully in this instance.
This means only the umbra, the Earth’s most central part of its shadow, covers the moon.