The Super Blue Blood Moon Wednesday Is Something the US Hasn't Seen Since 1866

[Judi Lynn]

By Samantha Mathewson, Space.com Contributor | January 30, 2018 09:09am ET

Skywatchers are in for a special treat: Early Wednesday morning (Jan. 31), a Blue Moon, a total lunar eclipse and a supermoon coincide to create a rare lunar event that hasn't been seen in North America in more than 150 years.

This spectacular lunar event, called a "Super Blue Blood Moon," features the second full moon of the month, also known as a Blue Moon, as well as a total lunar eclipse, which is often referred to as a "blood moon" because the moon turns a reddish color when it passes through Earth's shadow. To round out the lunar trifecta, the moon will also be at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it a supermoon. [Super Blue Blood Moon 2018: When, Where and How to See It]

This is the first total lunar eclipse to occur since 2015 and the first Blue Moon lunar eclipse since 1982. This full moon is also the third in a series of supermoons.

But what makes this Super Blue Blood Moon extra special is that it marks the first time since March 31, 1866, that a total lunar eclipse coincides with a Blue Moon in North America.

More:
https://www.space.com/39532-super-blue-blood-moon-occurs-wednesday.html?utm_source=notification

[Blues Heron]

1. The blue moon thing is fairly arbitrary

2 full moons in a calendar month. Big whoop. The eclipse should be spectacular though, extra big because of the perigee moon (aka supermoon)

[Wwcd]

2. From Wiki: the United States in 1866- EVENTS

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1866_in_the_United_States


This and More

March 13 – The United States Congress overwhelmingly passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the first federal legislation to protect the rights of African-Americans; U.S. President Andrew Johnson vetoes the bill on March 27, and Congress overrides the veto on April 9.

April 10 – The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is founded in New York City by Henry Bergh.

May 16 – The U.S. Congress approves the minting of a nickel 5-cent coin (nickel), eliminating its predecessor, the half dime.

June – Red Cloud's War opens.

July 4 – The Great Fire of Portland, Maine kills two and leaves 10,000 homeless in the worst fire in an American city at this time.

July 23 – The Judicial Circuits Act reduces the number of United States circuit courts to nine and the number of Supreme Court justices to seven.

July 24 – Reconstruction: Tennessee becomes the first U.S. state to be readmitted to the Union following the American Civil War.

July 25 – The U.S. Congress passes legislation authorizing the rank of General of the Army (modern-day "5-star general&quot ; Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant becomes the first to have this rank.

July 28 – The Metric Act of 1866 becomes law and legalizes the use of the metric system for weights and measures in the United States.

more....

Interesting..

[tanyev]

3. The local weathercaster said this hadnt happened since President Andrew Johnson.

He did not go on to explain that Johnson was the first president ever impeached, but I’m hoping it’s a good omen.

If one can speak of omens here in the Science forum.