Ever take a moment to step outside and stare at the moon? Its beauty is mysterious. It can effect the patterns of the ocean tides. On Jan. 31, 2018, the rare Super Blue Blood Moon illuminated above, but don’t fret, it was not blue and there was no blood.

Before witnessing the moon, I was unsure of what to expect. I was picturing a giant, full, red moon. Through research, I became more curious, so I wanted to see for myself. But first, what is the Super Blue Blood Moon and why was it special?

What makes this event rare is the fact that there are three- lunar incidences happen all at the same time. The trifecta lunar event is known as: Super Blue Blood Moon.

Okay, so what does that mean?

Blood moon

• • The red light is caused by refraction, red light bends making the moon appear red.

Supermoon

• • “The moon is 30 percent brighter and 14 percent bigger,” says Jennifer Jones, head of the astronomy department at Arapahoe Community College.

Blue moon

• • There are two full moons in the same month.
  • “America uses a solar calendar, since every 29.5 days, a new full moon shines above, some months are able to experience two full moons,” explains Jones.

Each of these occurrences lined up in one night/morning (depending on where you are in the world) making it quite rare.  

The moon was able to be seen from America, Alaska and Hawaii during the sunrise. Later Africa, Russia, the middle east, New Zealand, Asia and Australia witnessed it in the evening as the moon rose. However, those in Hawaii, Alaska, Australia and the eastern part of Asia got to experience the whole phenomenon, says CNN.

Early Wednesday morning at 4:45, I jumped out of bed to witness the rarity. What I saw was quite beautiful. I grabbed my binoculars I rented from the school library and my Canon to take photos of the moon in transition. When I walked outside and looked at the moon the air was quiet, but the night sky was bright. The moon was already creating its eclipse. What I had seen first was this,

As time passed the moon kept getting darker and darker, 

until it was fully covered. Once it was completely covered the mood began to take a reddish orange hue. 

Unfortunately, the phenomenon had no physical effects on the planet, the werewolves did not go crazy, but it was still a beautiful sight to see.

The trifecta hasn’t been seen on earth in 35 years and hasn’t been seen in the America’s in 150 years, according to National Graphic. The event seems quite rare for America. Did you witness the Super Blue Blood Moon? Comment Below!