Whanganui Ward Observatory to open for rare eclipse

Wanganui Astronomical Society secretary Mark Lee says it's best to look at lunar eclipse with the naked eye

A Whanganui astronomical observer says it's an interest in what we can't control that will have people gazing into the night sky early on Thursday.

A rare "super blue blood moon eclipse" will be visible above New Zealand on February 1 at 2.30am.

It's the first time the three celestial events - a supermoon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse - have occurred at the same time since 1866.

Wanganui Astronomical Society secretary Mark Lee said people had a fascination with such events because it was something outside of their control.

"I think that's why people are interested. There is a primal fear of what we don't know and what could happen," he said.

A supermoon is when a full moon coincides with the closest the moon gets to Earth during its orbit and appears bigger and brighter.

"It does look a bit more spectacular, especially when it's rising," Mr Lee said.

A blue moon is when two full moons occur in the same month in a single calendar month.

The third simultaneous phenomena to occur is a total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, when a full moon, Earth and the Sun line up.

The Ward Observatory will be open from 1am to 3am "if the weather allows us" but Mr Lee said viewing lunar eclipse was best done with the naked eye.