Lunar Trifecta – Possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity…

XPLORE - Out and About

Moreton Bay

I’m sure many are aware of a rare lunar phenomenon that is set to occur next week.

It is being billed as a “once-in-a-lifetime” lunar trifecta and Australian’s have one of the best vantage points around the globe to view what is being described as a “super red blue moon” as three lunar conditions converge.

Apparently, a super moon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to earth and appears much larger than normal (some 30% they say). The red part happens during a lunar eclipse, and the blue moon is when there are two full moons in a month.

Some experts suggest that it is unlikely to see all three events converge again this century, although I have seen conflicting reports on this with suggestions there will be another one in 2028 – but given it last occurred in 1866 I’ll try and observe this one and leave it to the experts to argue over the timing of the next one.

I was pondering where to view it from away from the glare of city lights and decided on heading to the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park, south east of Broken Hill.

It has been at least two decades since I last visited the area so I am looking forward to it, although with daytime temperatures getting up to around the 45C mark I doubt I will linger there for too long afterwards. But it is a spectacular area, so I’ll play that one by ear and see how the weather is…

The phenomena is due to start on 31 January around 10:30pm (AEDT) and end just after 2:00AM (AEDT) on 1 February…

Photo: Baz – The Landy, Moreton Bay, Queensland

12 thoughts on “Lunar Trifecta – Possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity…”

  2. Miriam January 24, 2018 / 7:56 am

    You’ve chosen a brilliant place to view this spectacle. Mungo is simply magic.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Baz - The Landy January 24, 2018 / 8:21 am

      It has been a long time since I’ve been there, last time I flew our aircraft into Mungo Lodge, circa 1995…Cheers, Baz (fingers crossed for cooler weather out there!)

      Liked by 1 person

      • Miriam January 24, 2018 / 10:23 am

        Agh, don’t hold your breath. I think it’ll be mighty hot. Still, enjoy, it’ll be wonderful.

        Like

  3. Gwyn January 23, 2018 / 6:37 pm

    Barry. The forecast is suggesting “slightly cloudy” for the 31st which could render some interesting effects. Good luck and drive safely. Watch out for the emus – Mungo was full of them two years ago. Gwyn

    Liked by 1 person

    • Baz - The Landy January 23, 2018 / 7:07 pm

      Hey Gwyn…Here’s hoping for some good weather out at Mungo. I settled on going out there given the fantastic landscape and a higher probability of a cloudless sky. Cheers, Baz

      Like

  4. mistynites January 23, 2018 / 6:31 pm

    Hopefully the view in NZ is just as good. Hadn’t heard about this so will look out for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Baz - The Landy January 23, 2018 / 7:05 pm

      Good luck, you are the land of the “long white cloud…” Cheers, Baz…

      Like

  5. Barbara Grandberg January 23, 2018 / 6:02 pm

    enjoy :]

    Liked by 1 person

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