Every several years in the United States, a total Super Blood Wolf Moon eclipse captures the attention of many astronomers and everyday people alike. The eclipse started at about 7:30 p.m. before the moon turned red like blood and it all ended at about 12:48 a.m. The moon even had a blue tint along the edge. Many people went outside to get a look at this mystical phenomenon.

Late at night, on Jan. 20, 2019 into the early morning, Jan. 21, 2019, the Earth cast a full shadow over the moon, and when the shadow was gone, the moon turned red due to the sunset casting red light onto the moon, but generally the name “blood moon” refers to the fact that it is a lunar eclipse.

  “The moon was really cool,” said Hannah McKinney, junior. The eclipse was slow and it took some time for the color to appear. Ashley Burt, junior, agrees when she said, “The moon was awesome.” Both girls noticed the red coloring of the moon and thought it was the only major difference from the normal moon that glows in the sky.

  Saying “Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse” is a mouthful, but every word has a meaning. For example, the moon is known as “super” during this eclipse because it is at the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth. Also, according to Live Science, it was known as the “wolf moon” because Native Americans assigned different names for the moon each month; January was the “wolf moon.”

  Everyone who didn’t get a chance to see this phenomenon, should clear their schedule for the next one. Unfortunately, the next total Super Blood Moon Eclipse won’t appear until May 26, 2021, and it will only be in totality over the Asian continent. Plus, a “wolf” eclipse won’t appear for a much longer time.

Carlynn Claypool, Staff Reporter