Super blood moon and total lunar eclipse will be seen on Wednesday

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Skywatchers are anticipating a doubly spectacular display during pre-dawn hours on Wednesday, as a super blood moon and a total lunar eclipse become visible across the western USA, and parts of South America and Asia. This will be the second and final supermoon of the year, USA Today reports.

A “supermoon” is seen when the moon comes closer to Earth than it does at other times on its orbit; this is because the moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle, USA Today reports. Supermoons appear around 7% larger and 15% brighter than a regular moon.

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth is between a full moon and the sun, and the Earth’s shadow covers the sun. The moon has a red color at this time because some sunlight still reaches it.

“You don’t need special glasses or gizmos to view it, unlike a solar eclipse, so feel free to stare directly at the moon,” USA Today said. “Binoculars or a telescope will improve the view.”

Those watching in Hawaii will have the best view of the eclipse in the middle of the night, USA Today reports. However, those living on America’s East Coast will be unlikely to see very much.

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