People all across North America and Europe will be treated to a rare celestial show in the night sky this weekend.
British Columbians can look to the skies on Sunday night to see the , a phenomenon that will happen only three times in the 21st century.
But what is a super blood wolf moon?
鈥楽uper,鈥� 鈥榖lood鈥� and 鈥榳olf鈥� all refer to different characteristics moons can have, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre astronomer Kat Kelly explained.
A super moon happens every time a full moon hits at the closest point in the moon鈥檚 orbit, while a wolf moon refers to all January full moons. The name refers to 鈥渨olves howling out of hunger,鈥� and comes from Indigenous cultures.
鈥淭he blood moon part is because of the lunar eclipse,鈥� Kelly said.
When the moon passes directly in front of the Earth, our planet casts a shadow on the moon leading to an eery, red glow.
If you鈥檙e looking to catch a glimpse of the super blood wolf moon, Kelly said there鈥檚 no need to get away from street lights or light pollution because it will be very bright on its own. Binoculars can help, as can a telescope, but neither are necessary.
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The super blood wolf moon will start at 7:30 p.m., be most visible at 9:12 p.m. and fade away at 10:40 p.m.
For those in Vancouver looking to catch a better glimpse, the space centre will be holding an event from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Jan. 2o.
Attendees can look through a telescope or head inside the Planetarium Star Theatre to watch a special show.
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