What time is the Super Blood Wolf Moon?

Super Blood Wolf Moon: Decoding This Wild Celestial Name

Ever heard the term “Super Blood Wolf Moon” and thought it sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel? Well, it’s a real thing! It’s basically a mashup of three different lunar events happening all at once: a supermoon, a blood moon (which is a lunar eclipse, by the way), and a Wolf Moon. And let me tell you, when they all team up, it’s quite a show in the night sky.

So, what do all these terms even mean?

First up, the Wolf Moon. This is just the old-school name for the full moon you see in January. Think back to the Native Americans and early colonists – they called it that because they’d hear wolves howling outside their villages, probably because they were super hungry during those cold winter months. Spooky, right?

Then we have the Supermoon. Now, this is when a full moon happens to line up with the moon’s closest approach to Earth. It’s not hugely different, but it does make the moon look a bit bigger and brighter than usual. Like it’s showing off a little.

And finally, the Blood Moon. This is just a cool nickname for a total lunar eclipse. Basically, the Earth slides right between the sun and the moon, and casts a shadow. But here’s the neat part: sunlight still sneaks through Earth’s atmosphere, and all the blue and green light gets scattered away. What’s left? Red light! That red light bathes the moon, giving it that eerie, reddish glow. Hence, “blood moon.”

Now, when did all this craziness happen? The last time everyone was buzzing about a Super Blood Wolf Moon was back on January 20-21, 2019. I remember trying to stay up late to see it! The whole lunar eclipse was visible across North and South America, and parts of Europe and Africa got a peek too. The best part? When the moon was completely in Earth’s shadow, it lasted for a whole hour. If you were on the East Coast, you could see the moon totally disappear into shadow around 11:40 p.m.

The best part? You don’t need any special equipment to enjoy this. Unlike solar eclipses where you need special glasses, you can look at a lunar eclipse or a supermoon with your own two eyes.

So, when’s the next one? I know, you’re itching to see it! While it’s tough to say exactly when and where the next Super Blood Wolf Moon will be visible, keep your eyes on the sky. We’re bound to get more supermoons and lunar eclipses in the coming years. For those of you in the UK, mark your calendars: the next Super Blood Wolf Moon that will be fully visible from your neck of the woods is expected in 2029. Get ready for a late night!