WGNO

What is the ‘Supermoon’ blood moon?

Blood moon, full lunar eclipse, Uruguay, 2014

Don’t worry. It is not as scary as it sounds. This September 27th for the first time since 1982 and last until 2033 a total Supermoon lunar eclipse takes place.

A Supermoon is when a full moon is reached as it makes it’s closest pass to a satellite, giving the impression the moon is both brighter and more full than a typical full moon.  This is also called a ‘Perigree’ which means closest pass.

According to Space.com, a Supermoon eclipse has only happened five times since 1900. A total lunar eclipse is the brightest of the three types of lunar eclipses. When a total eclipse occurs the shadow from Earth blocks the sun’s light that normally reflects off the moon. Theoretically, any lunar eclipse can be considered a ‘Blood Moon’ as the moon appears to have a coppery color during an eclipse.