OCC Invites Public to Lunar Eclipse, Blue Moon Viewing Event

Orange Coast College’s Astronomy department will host a viewing of a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday, Jan. 31, and invites all members of the public to attend. The eclipse — which will be the only lunar eclipse visible in the United States this year and will be accompanied by a blue moon and supermoon — will take place in the College’s Adams parking lot from 3:30 a.m. until 6 a.m.

“We will have several telescopes set up for people to look through, and they’ll be able to watch the lunar eclipse as it progresses,” said OCC astronomy instructor, Dr. Jerome Fang. “The moon will be a ‘supermoon’ that night, meaning it will be larger and brighter than usual. People will also be able to see Jupiter and Mars.”

A blue moon — which occurs approximately every two to three years — happens when there are two full moons in a single calendar month; January’s first full moon occurred on Jan. 1. However, a simultaneous blue moon and lunar eclipse is rare: the last time a blue moon and lunar eclipse coincided and was visible in the U.S. was in March 1866.

The eclipse will last for more than three hours and totality — when the moon will be fully obscured — will last for 77 minutes. The full moon will appear reddish in color and will look 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon.

Parking for the event is free. For more information about OCC’s astronomy department visit https://www.orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/divisions/math_science/astronomy/

OCC 2018 Lunar Eclipse Viewing

What: Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing

When: Wednesday, Jan. 31

3:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

Where: Orange Coast College

2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

Admission: Free admission

Parking: Free event parking Adams Parking Lot