Did you see Sunday’s Super Blood Wolf Moon?

Clouds dampened observing Sunday's total lunar eclipse, the so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon, but photographers were able to tease out a few rewarding, if somewhat artistic, images of the event. Photo by Phillip Brents

A so-called Super Moon occurs when a full (or new) moon occurs at a point nearest in its orbit around the Earth (perigee), making it appear larger than normal. January’s full moon is traditionally called the Wolf Moon, the first full moon of the year.

A Blood Moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the moon’s surface is painted a coppery, or in some instances, a blood-red hue by sunlight refracting through the Earth’s atmosphere. The occurrence of the three events results in a Super Blood Wolf Moon.

Chadd Cady stitched this mosaic together from images of the event taken in East County.

Though clouds prevented many in the region from enjoying Sunday’s total lunar eclipse through its full duration, some backyard viewers were treated to clear patches of sky leading up to totality.

Viewers from Chula Vista’s downtown district were able to witness the progression of Sunday’s total lunar eclipse until incoming clouds ruined the celestial spectacle just prior to totality.

The moon indeed turned an eerie blood red for viewers in Eastlake. Photo by Paul Martinez

Full Moons in 2019

Native Americans gave names to the full moons throughout the year based on cyclic occurrences in nature and in the sky.

Medieval Europeans also gave names to the various full moons, including the Wolf Moon.

Jan. 20: Wolf Moon

Feb. 19: Snow Moon

March 20: Worm Moon

April 19: Pink Moon

May 18: Flower Moon

June 17: Strawberry Moon

July 16: Buck Moon

Aug. 15: Sturgeon Moon

Sept. 14: Harvest Moon

Oct. 13: Hunter’s Moon

Nov. 12: Beaver Moon

Dec. 12: Cold Moon

 

 

Photo Gallery by Phillip Brents

 

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