Super blue blood moon eclipse on January 31

Kathmandu, January 27

January 31 is bringing a rare treat — super blue blood moon eclipse — for sky gazers. People  from various parts of the world, including Nepal, can see the convergence of a blue moon, a total lunar eclipse and a super moon, which is considered a rare celestial event.

A blue moon is when two full moons happen in the same calendar month, while lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes into the earth’s shadow and super moon happens when the moon’s perigee — its closest approach to the earth in a single orbit — coincides with a full moon.

According to the English calendar, when two full moons happen in the same calendar month it is called a blue moon. The new moon which will be seen on Wednesday is a blue moon because this is happening for the second time in the same month. The full moon was seen on January 1 as well.

Similarly, on the very day the full moon will be in its closest position to the earth making it a super moon Super moon can be 30 per cent brighter in comparison to the average full moon.

According to the chairman of National Astronomical Society Suresh Bhattarai the lunar eclipse of January 31 is also known as a ‘blood moon’ because the colour of the moon’s portion covered by the shadow of the earth changes into copper red. This seldom seen event is happening after 152 years. Last time it happened on March 31, 1866.

According to Bhattarai, lunar eclipse will start from 5:33PM and will end at 8:56PM in Nepal.

Former chairperson of Panchanga Committee Madhav Bhattarai said people should not eat or sleep before nine hours of the eclipse and try to maintain good faith and keep positive attitude.

He also said one must not take eclipses as a mere celestial event and acknowledge that these events can have serious impact on humans.

“Our ancestors predicted about eclipses and other celestial activities centuries ago before the invention of any scientific technology and tools to predict such activities. Thus possible impact of such celestial activities cannot simply be ignored,” Madhav Bhattarai said.

Bhattrai said that expect, elderly, children and ailing people, everybody was advised not to eat, sleep and even use toilet during the time of eclipse.