STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

Ominous ‘super blood wolf moon’ to be easily seen looming over Nanaimo

Jan 18, 2019 | 4:13 PM

NANAIMO — Like an sinister symbol from an adventure comic, the moon will be blood-red when it hangs over Nanaimo late this weekend.

The Harbour City will be under what’s known as the Super Blood Wolf Moon eclipse from roughly 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday night. During those hours, the moon will be blood red but also so dim it might be difficult to spot among the inky blackness of space.

VIU astronomer Dr. Gregory Arkos told NanaimoNewsNOW the ominous sounding name from a “coincidence of orbital mechanics.”

During those hours, the moon will be the closest to Earth in it’s orbit, be the crimson colour of blood due to the reddish shadow cast by the Earth and is known as a wolf moon because it’s the first full moon of the year.

“It’s the luck of the draw that the various little bits and pieces come together and align just right that the moon ends up passing through Earth’s shadow,” Arkos said.

This is expected to be the last Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse for the next 18 years, which Arkos said means it’s important to step outside and bask in the wonder of the colourful moon.

“When you’re out there watching this, remember you’re one of a long line of people who’ve witnessed this kind of event. If you think about what ancient cultures would have thought…it was a cause of concern for many. To see the moon go from this beautiful, bright, white object in the sky to this dim, blood-coloured thing probably was quite terrifying and inexplicable.

“Now we understand these things better, but they’re still beautiful aesthetic events taking place in the sky.”

Weather conditions are expected to be fairly clear on Sunday for pristine.

Arkos said anyone with a clear view to the East should have no problem watching the Super Blood Wolf Moon eclipse.

He recommended watchers enjoy the entire spectacle, rather than come out only briefly for when the moon is completely covered.

The Nanaimo Astronomy Society is hosting a viewing party at the Departure Bay parking lot starting at 7:30.

 

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit