All you need to know about the rare ‘lunar trifecta’ eclipse

HOPING to catch a glimpse of the rare ‘lunar trifecta’ eclipse tonight? Here’s what you need to know about the astrological marvel and when to see it in Australia.

ON January 31 Australians will be able to catch a glimpse of a rare lunar trifecta.

Consisting of a total lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon, such an event hasn’t been seen for more than 30 years.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, those in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs will have the best view.

‘SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON’ LIGHTS UP VICTORIA’S SKY

CANBERRA’S INTEGRAL ROLE IN KEY NASA MISSION

PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE OBSERVED AROUND THE WORLD

SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON: WHEN AND WHERE TO SEE IT

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN 1976 WON’T BE SEEN AGAIN FOR YEARS

Total Lunar Eclipse from Mt Buffalo, 16th June 2011. (Image supplied by Museums Victoria for the lunar eclipse event Feb 2018)

SHARE YOUR ECLIPSE PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

A total lunar eclipse is when the full moon passes through Earth’s shadow. While this type of eclipse is visible from anywhere on Earth (providing it is night-time), the duration is dependent on how close to moonrise or moonset it is when the eclipse starts in your location.

On average, this is seen in Australia every 2.8 years. However, in 2018, we will be lucky enough to see two total lunar eclipses.

The first will be on Wednesday the 31st of January while the second will take place in late July.

As it enters the depths of Earth’s shadow you can expect the moon to turn a deep red due to the Earth’s atmosphere interacting with the sun’s light. This type of eclipse is also known as a blood moon.

Ironically a blue moon isn’t even blue. The term instead refers to when there is a second full moon in a calendar month.

Lastly, the supermoon part comes into play as the moon will be closest to Earth as it orbits around us. While it will loom large in the sky it will in fact still be 360,198km away.

If you’re keen to stay up and view this rare event, here’s what you need to know.

This NASA graphic shows the stages of the total lunar eclipse in Pacific Time. Image: NASA

Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, ACT

Eclipse will start at 10:48pm and end at 2:11am

Totality will begin at 11:51pm and end at 1:08am

Brisbane

Eclipse will start at 9:48pm and end at 1:11am

Totality will begin at 10:51pm and end at 12:08am

Adelaide

Eclipse will start at 10:18pm and end at 1:41am

Totality will begin at 11:21pm and end at 12:38am

Perth

Eclipse will start at 7:48pm and end at 11:11pm

Totality will begin at 8:51pm and end at 10:08pm

Darwin

Eclipse will start at 9:18pm and end at 12:41am

Totality will begin at 10:21pm and end at 11:38pm

[e-mail]