There is widespread<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/philippines-warns-powerful-volcanic-eruption-656#photo-36299"> superstition in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/philippines-warns-powerful-volcanic-eruption-656#photo-36299">Philippines</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/philippines-warns-powerful-volcanic-eruption-656#photo-36299"> that the</a> total super blue blood moon could trigger an eruption of Mount Mayon which has been spewing ash for more than two weeks.

Agnes Velardoa, a teacher <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/super-blood-blue-moon-rare-astronomical-sight-to-occur-today-evening-31312">in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/super-blood-blue-moon-rare-astronomical-sight-to-occur-today-evening-31312">Philippines</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/super-blood-blue-moon-rare-astronomical-sight-to-occur-today-evening-31312"> told Reuters: &quot;For me</a>, what will happen tonight with the eclipse is that the volcano will have a complementary activity. The volcano may erupt after.&quot; &nbsp;

However, volcanologists believe no such thing will happen with state weather forecasters saying residents should not believe lunar superstitions.

Even then, residents believe the eruption could occur anytime, Analisa Alvarez, a resident told Reuters that, &quot;according to our elders, if there&#39;s a number eight in the year, for example 2018, Mayon will erupt again because there is an eight in the year.&quot;

Filipinos have fled in large numbers from the scene of the Mayon volcano to safe zones. Reports say at least 90,000 have already left the area.

State volcanologist, Paul Alanis said: &quot;I don&#39;t know about this superstition, but from our studies, these astronomical phenomena have no effect on volcanic eruptions.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;If a volcano is primed to erupt, it will erupt, regardless of whatever object is above it,&quot; he added.

Volcanologists believe no such thing will happen with state weather forecasters saying residents should not believe lunar superstitions.

There is widespread superstition in Philippines that the total super blue blood moon could trigger an eruption of Mount Mayon which has been spewing ash for more than two weeks. Agnes Velardoa, a teacher in Philippines told Reuters: "For me, what will happen tonight with the eclipse is that the volcano will have a complementary activity. The volcano may erupt after." However, volcanologists believe no such thing will happen with state weather forecasters saying residents should not believe lunar superstitions. Even then, residents believe the eruption could occur anytime, Analisa Alvarez, a resident told Reuters that, "according to our elders, if there's a number eight in the year, for example 2018, Mayon will erupt again because there is an eight in the year." Filipinos have fled in large numbers from the scene of the Mayon volcano to safe zones. Reports say at least 90,000 have already left the area. State volcanologist, Paul Alanis said: "I don't know about this superstition, but from our studies, these astronomical phenomena have no effect on volcanic eruptions." "If a volcano is primed to erupt, it will erupt, regardless of whatever object is above it," he added.

Watch: Will super blood moon trigger Mount Mayon eruption?

On January 31, a total lunar eclipse will occur with a blue moon, known as a Super Blue Blood Moon - which will take place for the first time in 150 years.&nbsp;

So what is this &#39;super blue blood moon&#39; anyway?

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The &#39;super blue blood moon&#39; - as it has been termed - is something rather unusual because a total lunar eclipse will occur with the blue moon, or second full moon of the month, which will also be a supermoon.

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Stages of the January 31, 2018 &#39;super blue blood moon&#39; (Others)
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Also see: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/super-blue-blood-moon-set-to-treat-your-eyes-on-january-31-31115" target="_blank">WATCH: &#39;Super blue blood moon&#39; set to treat your eyes on January 31!</a>

Let&#39;s break it down to make it slightly more understandable.&nbsp;

When the moon is at or near the closest point in its Earth&#39;s orbit and appears about 11%-14% &nbsp;larger and about 30% brighter than full moons that occur at the farthest point in the moon&#39;s orbit it is called a supermoon.&nbsp;

This will be the third in a series of &ldquo;supermoons.&rdquo;&nbsp;

This time, it will also be a blue&nbsp;moon as it will be the second full moon of the month.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;&nbsp;blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. Usually, months have only one full moon, but occasionally a second one sneaks in. Full moons are separated by 29 days so it is possible to fit two full moons in a single month. This happens every two and a half years, on average.

The last blue moon occurred in July 2015 and in 2018, we&#39;ll experience two of them, a phenomena that won&#39;t happen for another 19 years. The second blue moon is slated to occur in late March.&nbsp;

Because of the way the light filters through the atmosphere during an eclipse, blue light is bounced away from the moon, while the red light is reflected.&nbsp;The eclipsed moon&rsquo;s reddish colour earned it the nickname blood moon, making this rare celestial event &quot;a super blue blood moon eclipse.&quot;

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-why-we-will-see-super-blue-blood-full-moon-on-jan-31-31195" target="_blank"> Opinion: Why Super blue blood full moon looks red</a>

The rare sight will be seen from many countries including India, Russia, Australia, China and Thailand.&nbsp;

The eclipse will last for 3.5 hours, with the total eclipse stretching for 77 minutes. In India, it will start at 5.18pm local time but the total eclipse takes effect at 6.21pm until 7.37pm.

The 'super blue blood moon' - as it has been termed - is something rather unusual because a total lunar eclipse will occur with the blue moon, or second full moon of the month, which will also be a supermoon

On January 31, a total lunar eclipse will occur with a blue moon, known as a Super Blue Blood Moon - which will take place for the first time in 150 years. So what is this 'super blue blood moon' anyway? × The 'super blue blood moon' - as it has been termed - is something rather unusual because a total lunar eclipse will occur with the blue moon, or second full moon of the month, which will also be a supermoon. Stages of the January 31, 2018 'super blue blood moon' (Others) × Also see: WATCH: 'Super blue blood moon' set to treat your eyes on January 31! Let's break it down to make it slightly more understandable. When the moon is at or near the closest point in its Earth's orbit and appears about 11%-14% larger and about 30% brighter than full moons that occur at the farthest point in the moon's orbit it is called a supermoon. This will be the third in a series of “supermoons.” This time, it will also be a blue moon as it will be the second full moon of the month. A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. Usually, months have only one full moon, but occasionally a second one sneaks in. Full moons are separated by 29 days so it is possible to fit two full moons in a single month. This happens every two and a half years, on average. The last blue moon occurred in July 2015 and in 2018, we'll experience two of them, a phenomena that won't happen for another 19 years. The second blue moon is slated to occur in late March. Because of the way the light filters through the atmosphere during an eclipse, blue light is bounced away from the moon, while the red light is reflected. The eclipsed moon’s reddish colour earned it the nickname blood moon, making this rare celestial event "a super blue blood moon eclipse." Also read: Opinion: Why Super blue blood full moon looks red The rare sight will be seen from many countries including India, Russia, Australia, China and Thailand. The eclipse will last for 3.5 hours, with the total eclipse stretching for 77 minutes. In India, it will start at 5.18pm local time but the total eclipse takes effect at 6.21pm until 7.37pm.

What is the 'super blood blue moon'

After US and Japan, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-will-super-blood-moon-trigger-mount-mayon-eruption-31325">super blue blood moon is now </a>visible in India over Bhubaneswar in Odisha and Kolkata in West Bengal.

The super blue blood moon was also seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, the super blood blue moon was&nbsp;visible in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo.

Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings. Stargazers in Tokyo were also able to see the first glimpse of the unique celestial phenomena.

Here is the live coverage of the lunar eclipse:&nbsp;

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The super blood moon will be visible in North America, Hawaii, the Middle East, Russia, India and Australia.&nbsp;

Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings.

After US and Japan, the super blue blood moon is now visible in India over Bhubaneswar in Odisha and Kolkata in West Bengal. The super blue blood moon was also seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Earlier, the super blood blue moon was visible in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo. Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings. Stargazers in Tokyo were also able to see the first glimpse of the unique celestial phenomena. Here is the live coverage of the lunar eclipse: × The super blood moon will be visible in North America, Hawaii, the Middle East, Russia, India and Australia.

Watch Live: Super blue blood moon visible in India & across the world

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-live-lunar-eclipse-gives-super-blue-blood-moon-31350" target="_blank">Watch Live: Lunar eclipse gives super blue blood moon</a>

The super blood blue moon is currently visible in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo. Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings. Stargazers in Tokyo were also able to see the first glimpse of the unique celestial phenomena.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-2016-17-gdp-growth-unchanged-at-71-per-cent-government-data-31349" target="_blank">India&#39;s 2016-17 GDP growth unchanged at 7.1 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-2016-17-gdp-growth-unchanged-at-71-per-cent-government-data-31349" target="_blank">per cent</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-2016-17-gdp-growth-unchanged-at-71-per-cent-government-data-31349" target="_blank">: Government data</a>

India&#39;s annual economic growth in the fiscal year that ended in March 2017 was unchanged at 7.1 percent, a government statement said on Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/state-of-the-union-address-barack-obama-versus-donald-trump-31291" target="_blank">State of the Union address: Barack Obama versus Donald Trump</a>

As the 45th President of the United States delivered his&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/state-of-the-union-address-us-president-donald-trump-bids-for-safe-strong-and-united-america-31271">first State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;today, Donald Trump touched upon the themes of building a stronger, safer and united America, and pacing towards realising the &#39;American dream&#39;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/earthquake-hits-afghanistan-1-killed-in-pakistan-31314" target="_blank">Earthquake hits Afghanistan, 1 killed in Pakistan</a>

A powerful<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/earthquake-jolts-delhi-tremors-felt-across-north-india-31299">&nbsp;6.1 magnitude earthquake hit northern</a>&nbsp;Afghanistan today. No casualties were immediately reported in &nbsp;Afghanistan. The epicentre was near Afghanistan&#39;s Jarm which had witnessed a devastating earthquake in 2015.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-bans-ivory-sales-traders-angry-31346" target="_blank">Hong Kong bans ivory sales, traders angry</a>

Hong Kong voted to ban ivory sales in a landmark move Wednesday to end the infamous trade in the city.

Watch Live: Lunar eclipse gives super blue blood moon The super blood blue moon is currently visible in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo. Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings. Stargazers in Tokyo were also able to see the first glimpse of the unique celestial phenomena. India's 2016-17 GDP growth unchanged at 7.1 per cent: Government data India's annual economic growth in the fiscal year that ended in March 2017 was unchanged at 7.1 percent, a government statement said on Wednesday. State of the Union address: Barack Obama versus Donald Trump As the 45th President of the United States delivered his first State of the Union address today, Donald Trump touched upon the themes of building a stronger, safer and united America, and pacing towards realising the 'American dream'. Earthquake hits Afghanistan, 1 killed in Pakistan A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan today. No casualties were immediately reported in Afghanistan. The epicentre was near Afghanistan's Jarm which had witnessed a devastating earthquake in 2015. Hong Kong bans ivory sales, traders angry Hong Kong voted to ban ivory sales in a landmark move Wednesday to end the infamous trade in the city.

WION Evening News brief, January 31, 2018