It’s A Western Colorado Lunar Trifecta

It's an all in one supermoon, blue moon, and total lunar eclipse.

It's more than a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. Next Wednesday's lunar show hasn't been visible in North America since the spring of 1866.

Blue moons are rare. It's when there are two full moons within a calendar month. That happens about once every 2 1/2 years. A lunar eclipse is visible somewhere on earth about twice a year. There's an average of 4-6 supermoons, super-close full moons, each year. Getting all 3 to happen at once, not so often. Its been over 150 years since the last one. It's a Super-Blue Moon-Eclipse!

Next Wednesday night, lunar "totality" will last about 75 minutes. That's when the moon passes within the earth's shadow. That event will be visible in the early morning hours of January 31st here in western Colorado. The full moon will become a dark-reddish color during the eclipse. Often called a "blood moon."

Dragging the family out of bed and loading them up to drive someplace to see the phenomena may not be practical but would be worth it. The Super-Blue Moon-Eclipse will be visible on a clear night form anywhere in western Colorado but the further away from city lights, the better the view. Consider driving up on the Colorado National Monument or anyplace higher and further from town will make an awesome event even more spectacular.

Credit: 9News