When is the Super Blue Blood Moon eclipse? The super blue blood moon eclipse combines four separate astronomical events on the same night, but their spread is limited to certain parts of the world. Unfortunately for UK viewers, the January 31 eclipse will avoid the Western Hemisphere, moving instead over swathes of North America, Asia, the Pacific and Australia. Dr Gregory Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, underlined that the full spectacle will not be visible from the UK. He said: “Unfortunately form the United Kingdom the lunar eclipse is not visible, so for people living here whether it is or isn’t a blue moon, this coming full moon will most likely remain grey.” The eclipse will kick off on Earth’s nightside around 10.51am GMT (5.51am EST) before it sets on a journey to the East.

But the UK will still get to witness the blue moon and supermoon, which according to NASA could be up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter. The spectacular blue moon will appear over the UK around 1.26pm according to Royal Observatory Greenwich. But the best time to view the moon will be in the morning hours on Thursday February 1, around 2am GMT. You will still have the opportunity to see the eclipse as it unfolds thanks to NASA’s live stream of the event. Click here to find out how to watch the eclipse 2018 live stream. The next total lunar eclipse visible from the UK will occur on July 27 2018.

NASA•GETTY Eclipse 2018: The Super Blue Blood Moon eclipse will not be visible from the UK

What is a Lunar Eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs whenever the moon passes through Earth’s shadow and disappears from sight, either partially or completely. During tomorrow’s eclipse the sun and earth will perfectly align to cast a shadow onto the surface of the moon. An total eclipse can usually last up to five hours because Earth is four times larger than its satellite. The next lunar eclipses will take place on: July 27 2018

January 21 2019

May 26 2021

May 16 2022

November 8 2022

March 14 2025

September 7 2025

March 3 2026

December 31 2028

What is the Supermoon? The non-scientific term is popularly used by astronomers and amateurs alike to describe conditions in which the moon approaches its perigee, or closest distance from Earth.

Full moons can occur at any point along the Moon’s elliptical path Lyle Tavernier, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab

Lyle Tavernier from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab explained: "Full moons can occur at any point along the Moon’s elliptical path, but when a full moon occurs at or near the perigee, it looks slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon. "That’s what the term 'supermoon' refers to. "Because supermoon is not an official astronomical term, there is no definition about just how close to perigee the full moon has to be in order to be called 'super’.”

NASA Eclipse 2018: The lunar eclipse will be visible on Earth's nightside in the Eastern Hemisphere

What is Blue Moon? Despite what its name might suggest, the moon does not actually change colour. Instead the term describes the second full moon to rise in one calendar month. This year’s blue moon is particularly special because it is the first to coincide with a total eclipse in over 150 years. According to NASA, a blue moon only occurs every two-and-a-half years or so, which makes it a rare event. Observatory Greenwich added: “Normally blue moons come only about every two or three years. In 2018, unusually, we are getting two blue moons in one year and only two months apart – and one is a lunar eclipse! “The next time we will get two blue moons in a year is 2037.” Dr Gregory Brown, from observatory, said the full spectacle will "definitely not be visible from the UK, not even a partial eclipse". But he said the optimum time to view the UK's super blue moon will be around 12.40am, when the moon is at its highest.

Eclipse 2018: Rare super blue blood moon in pictures Thu, February 1, 2018 Supermoon 2018 in pictures: Rare super blue blood moon takes to the sky as three unusual lunar events - an extra big super moon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse - take place at the same time. Play slideshow David Noton Photography 1 of 53 The super blue moon rises over Stonehenge in Wiltshire