Super Blood Moon

SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON 2018

The first lunar eclipse this year is going to be a rare celestial phenomenon which is to occur today. A blue moon (a second full moon in a calendar month), a super moon (when the moon is unusually close to Earth, making it bigger and brighter) and a blood moon (a moment during an eclipse when the moon appears red) will all coincide. This will take place for the first time since 1866. As the three lunar phenomenon are coinciding, NASA has tagged the rare spectacle as the "Super Blue Blood Moon" which will be visible in large parts of the US, north-eastern Europe, Russia, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and Australia. 

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra (shadow). This can occur only when the sun, Earth and moon are aligned (in "syzygy") exactly or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can occur only the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipsedepend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.

A total lunar eclipse has the direct sunlight completely blocked by the earth's shadow. The only light seen is refracted through the earth's shadow. This light looks red for the same reason that the sunset looks red, due to Rayleigh scattering of the more blue light. Because of its reddish color, a total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon.
There are some superstitious beliefs about the SUPER BLOOD MOON and one of this is that the SUPER BLOOD MOON is harmful during pregnancy. The superstitions also go to the extent of asserting that moving out during the eclipse or watching it may cause one to give birth to a deformed baby. Therefore, pregnant women are not allowed to leave their rooms during the eclipse and curtains are drawn so that the Moon does not pose a threat.Absurd, right? Well, it is totally up to you whether you want to believe or not. But, when it comes to the welfare of the child, mothers generally do not want to take chances or challenge 'ancient wisdom'. If you ask us, we'd point out that there is NO SCIENTIFIC STUDY that proves that pregnant women should stay indoors and avoid everything connected to the eclipse.

1. In some parts of India, moms-to-be are advised to not take any meal or even water during the eclipse. But, it may not be healthy to follow such a ritual when you're pregnant. It can even dehydrate you and cause harm to your baby. So if you want to avoid acquiring a headache, dizziness, acidity or nausea, it is better to keep yourself hydrated and stay calm. Let the people say what they want to. Remember, if you are healthy, your baby will be fine. But, if you are not, your baby will suffer the consequences.