The Differences Between Lunar Eclipses, Supermoon, Bluemoon

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The total lunar eclipse, the supermoon, and the blue moon, will occur simultaneously, on Wednesday, January 31. The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) researcher Rhorom Priyatikanto explains the differences of these three phenomenons.

“The lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon is covered with the shadow of the earth for a while, when the total lunar eclipse occurs, the moon is dark, a bit red. The red color is the sunlight that has passed through the earth's atmosphere and it is somewhat turbid," he said via a text message on Saturday, January 27.

Read also: Super Blue Blood Moon, BMKG: Rare Phenomenon Worth Observing

While the supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is in the perigee, the closest point to the earth. The distance from the moon to the earth could reach 356.4 thousand kilometers at that time. “The moon will look bigger than average. Later, the diameter of the moon is approximately 0.554 degrees,” he said.

As for the blue moon, it is the second full moon that occurs in the one-month calendar, full moon this month usually occurs on January 1 and January 31. The phenomenon is rare because the last time it occurred 150 years ago. The size of the moon is estimated to be 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual.

Read: 7 Spots in Jakarta to See Supermoon, Total Lunar Eclipse

LAPAN is planned to conduct public observation. It will be done in several LAPAN offices, namely in West Java Province, precisely in Bandung, Sumedang and Garut. “Come on, watch the rare lunar eclipse!” LAPAN said to Tempo, on Friday, January 26.

“Find a place with a good foreground if you want to see the event. You can take pictures of its beautiful scenery,” LAPAN said.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI