PH TO WITNESS RARE SUPER BLOOD BLUE MOON TOMORROW

For the first time in 36 years, the Philippines will get a glimpse of a rare astronomical event – a blue moon, a super moon, and a blood moon occurring in unison – tomorrow night.

It could take another 250 years before we get to experience a “super blue blood moon” like this, said Dario dela Cruz, chief of the Space Sciences and Astronomy Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.

According to Mario Raymundo, chief of the PAGASA Astronomical Observation and Time Unit, “the occurrence of total lunar eclipse alone is already a special event, but with the occurrence of blue moon and super moon, it makes it even more special.”

“The full moon on Jan. 31 will combine three rare lunar events for the first time in 36 years. The last time it was observed in the Philippines was on Dec. 30, 1982,” he added.

Raymundo explained that a blue moon or a second full moon in a month always coincides with a blood moon or lunar eclipse. However, a super moon usually occurs before or after the occurrence of blue moon or lunar eclipse.

Full moons appear every month but Jan. 31’s full moon is called a super moon because it will be closer to the time of perigee, making the moon appear 30 brighter and 14 percent larger.

Perigee is an astronomical term that identifies the nearest distance of the moon to the Earth.

“Super moon is a full or new moon that occurs when the center of the moon is less than 360,000 kilometers from the center of the Earth. When a full moon phase and a perigee (or near perigee) place in its orbit coincide, we call that a super moon,” he explained.

Raymundo said the cosmic events can be observed Wednesday evening with the total lunar eclipse reaching its maximum eclipse from 8:51 p.m. to 10:07 p.m. for a total of one hour and 16 minutes.

However, the eclipse can be observed starting 6:49 p.m. Wednesday, when the moon starts its passage into the Earth’s shadow called the penumbral eclipse phase. It will end at 12:09 a.m. Thursday.

“Viewing the total lunar eclipse is safe to watch. Weather permitting, we can witness this

spectacular astronomical event on Jan. 31,” Raymundo said.

Dela Cruz said the phenomena can be best viewed on the eastern horizon and observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes.

However, a pair of binoculars will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration of

the moon brighter.

Dela Cruz further explained that a super moon has an effect on the height of tides about two inches higher than average but “only minimal and will not cause flooding.” He added that there is no correlation that the eclipse will trigger Mayon Volcano’s major eruption. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)