Super blue blood moon eclipse: what Hongkongers need to know and where you can see it
A supermoon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day that it’s closest to Earth, with this one set to take on ‘an eerie glow’. The eclipse will be visible from most places in Hong Kong with an unobstructed view to the east
A rare triple astronomical event takes place at the end of this month. Coined a super blue blood moon eclipse, it involves a lunar eclipse, a blue moon and a supermoon all occurring simultaneously on January 31.
According to NASA.com, a supermoon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day that it’s closest to Earth, resulting in a slightly larger-than-usual apparent size (up to 14 per cent bigger).
Supermoon in pictures
The space agency says that night the moon will also feature a total lunar eclipse – when the Earth, sun and moon, line up in such a way that the Earth blocks the sunlight that would otherwise reflect off the moon. It says the moon will “take on an eerie, fainter-than-normal glow,” and could take on a “reddish hue.”
According to the Hong Kong Government, the eclipse will be visible from most places in Hong Kong with an unobstructed view to the east, weather permitting.
It says the eclipse will begin at 6.50pm on January 31, attain its maximum at 9.30pm and end at 12.10am the next morning, February 1.
Members of the public can watch the whole event via a webcast jointly provided by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, the Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Solar Tower‧Camp.
Clear skies forecast for Hong Kong’s supermoon
As an added bonus, the Hong Kong Space Museum has joined celestial forces with local astronomy organisations to present “Night of Total Lunar Eclipse” on January 31, with a number of telescopes placed at Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), Kowloon Park Piazza and Sha Tin Park Main Plaza so members of the public can watch the eclipse.
To find out conditions on the day, keep an eye on the Hong Kong Observatory's nine-day weather forecast.
If you’re looking for something to do beforehand, local naturopath Katherine Dale is hosting a full moon detox event sharing tips on how to live a healthier life including foods to detox on (think ginger shots and raw chocolate moon balls). The event will be held at Caelum Greene in Central from 7pm-8.30pm.
Supermoon over Hong Kong inspires photographers to capture lunar marvel
The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will occur on July 28, which will also be a total lunar eclipse.
Super blue blood moon eclipse details:
Webpage broadcasts
Night of Total Lunar Eclipse
Hong Kong Observatory information
Full moon detox event
