The Super Blue Blood Moon of January 2018

*Updated January 31, 2018

This January 31 , three lunar phenomena converged in an event that hasn't occurred in 152 years: a supermoon, a blue moon, and a total lunar eclipse. This lunar trifecta is known as a “ super blue blood moon” .

A supermoon occurs when the Moon orbits closest to the earth – also known as the Moon's perigee – and shines approximately 14% brighter than usual, according to the NASA.

A blue moon is a name given to the second full moon of a 31-day month that had a full moon at the beginning, according to Julieta Fierro, a researcher at the Astronomy Institute of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

“A lunar phase has 30 days, that is why the second full moon of a month is called a 'blue moon', despite it not glowing blue.”

And to add to this spectacle, this blue moon will pass through the Earth's shadow – a total lunar eclipse – which will cause it to take on a reddish tint in a phenomenon commonly called “ blood moon ”.

Although the super blue blood moon wasn't fully visible in Mexico , archeologists and astronomers went to the archeological site of Tula, Hidalgo , to observe and register this astronomical phenomenon which wasn't seen since March 31, 1866.

The Super Blue Blood Moon of January 2018

(Super blue blood moon of January 31, 2018 - Photo: Yadín Xolalpa)

The Super Blue Blood Moon of January 2018

(Super blue blood moon of January 31, 2018 - Photo: Yadín Xolalpa)

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