This is the week sky-watchers from across the globe have been looking forward to. During an event that hasn't happened since the 1800s, a lunar eclipse, a supermoon and a blue moon will all grace the night skies at the same time.
According to KHOU, this rare event will occur on Jan. 31. For a couple of days leading up to the event, the moon will appear full, but it won't reach 100% fullness until the morning of January 31. Since this is the second full moon of the month, we refer to it as a blue moon. Sadly, the moon won't actually appear blue. Instead, it will take on a reddish tint as the lunar eclipse takes place.
The eclipse will last around 77 minutes. It can be best seen along the West Coast, but those in the central U.S. and East Coast will see a partial eclipse. Since the moon is a supermoon, meaning it's at the closest point to the Earth, it will appear larger, making everything easier to see.
Although these lunar events are all common, they rarely ever happen all at the same time. A lunar eclipse occurs about twice a year while there are about 2 ½ years between blue moons. It takes a little over a year for a supermoon to appear in the sky.
Make sure you see this once-in-a-lifetime view, because it could be hundreds of years before you get the chance to do so again.
