By Dr. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Amateur Astronomer
Sky-watchers will get a rare treat on Jan. 31: A Super Moon, a Blood Moon, a Blue Moon and a total lunar eclipse. A Super Moon eventuates when the Full Moon is at the closest point of its orbit to the Earth, which is also called the perigee. That makes the moon look extra close and extra bright — up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a Full Moon at its farthest point from Earth, known as the apogee. This Weekend Star Supplement gives our readers an insight into this rare astronomical feat that, after Jan. 31, 2018, will occur only on Dec. 31, 2028.
