On Sunday, January 8, people in the Western Hemisphere will be able to experience the only total lunar eclipse of 20, dubbed the “Full Blood Wolf Moon.”
While the name sounds like something written for the Twilight Saga fantasy series, each word actually has significance as it relates to how the lunar event will unfold.
Here's everything you need to know about the special celestial show.
What is a wolf moon?
According to the Old Farmer magazine, this event is a total lunar eclipse, but it consists of a trifecta of other lunar terms, including a play on the words “blood,” “super,” and “wolf.” A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon. According to the calendar, a total lunar eclipse can be viewed without eye protection, unlike a total solar eclipse.
Almanca says the term “blood moon” comes from the deep red color the moon glows when it is in Earth’s shadow.
The word "super" is used to describe a "supermoon," meaning that a full or new moon is closer to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. However, depending on the calendar, most people won't be able to tell the difference.
As for the description of “wolf,” this term originated with Native American tribes and early colonists to identify the full moon that occurs in Hanavi.
How can I see this?
The partial eclipse will begin at 10:33 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, and will take over 3.5 hours to complete all phases. According to the calendar, the moon should be visible to everyone in the Western Hemisphere, but if it's a cloudy night, people may not be able to see the transition well.
During the first hour, the moon will go through different phases, turning orange and red – almost like Mars,
Evaluation reports.
At 11:41 p.m. EST, totality begins, meaning the moon should give up the deep red glow it's known for, but it can vary based on atmospheric conditions and may appear dark gray in the sky with the moon "barely visible."
The eclipse will last until 12:44 a.m. EST on Monday, January 21, hovering high in the zodiac.
When will the next eclipse be?
This will be the last total lunar eclipse until 2021, and there's no guarantee the universe will align so that the next eclipse falls during the full moon, so it could be the last time you hear the words "Super Blood Wolf Moon" for a while.
