AUSTRALIA is in the hot seat for a visual spectacle of a lifetime with a super blue blood moon full eclipse set to grace our skies on Wednesday night.
This rare phenomenon was last seen in Australia in 1982. However, for the western hemisphere, the last lunar trifecta occurred in 1866, more that 150 years ago.
The event is a rare convergence of three celestial events - a super moon, a blue moon and a full lunar eclipse.
This means the second full moon of the calendar month (a blue moon) will be at its closest point to the Earth, appearing bigger and brighter (a super moon) and will be fully eclipsing as it passes directly behind the Earth.
According to Bill Boyd, the professor of Geography at the Southern Cross University, a lunar eclipse is "a regular occurrence each year happening two, three or four times a year, but rarely a full eclipse".
"A full eclipse is a very rare occurrence and we're having one of those at the end of this month," he said.
"When the moon travels into the shadow of the Earth, you think it would just go completely dark but there is still some light that gets refracted around the Earth's surface through the atmosphere ... and gives the moon just a slight red glow."
This effect is commonly referred to as a blood moon.
"It should be very spectacular," Professor Boyd said.
The best vantage points
The NSW North Coast and Queensland's Gold Coast will have the best seats in the house to view the celestial event, however all of Australia should get a glimpse. Tickets are even on sale at the Perth observatory.
A super moon is associated with unusual high tides, however they are not the only influencing factor of tidal behaviour with many internal weather conditions having a strong impact as well.
Professor Boyd said there was no scientific evidence that moon activity influenced natural disasters, despite what some people believe.
"There is no link between the moon and geological events such as tsunamis and earthquakes. These geological processes do not need the moon to do anything. They happen for entirely different earthly causes," he said.
Across NSW, the super blue blood moon will start at 10.48pm and fully eclipse from 11.51pm to 1.07am, finishing the celestial trifecta at 2.11am.
Although Sydney expects low cloud coverage in the early evening, it is set to clear with patchy mid-high level clouds to cover the sky during the late night, meaning Sydney-siders should get a glimpse.
People living in the mid-north coast of NSW may not be so lucky with thick to mid-level clouds predicted to cover the sky, and possible showers throughout the night.
Professor Boyd recommended finding a "nice open headland or hill top with a clear view north" for the best view.
"Settle back for a spectacular show, it will be something to remember," he said.
