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.
