A Super Blue Moon will shine in the sky on August 30. This sight that happens only once in a decade is worth seeing.
Calling all sky lovers! Prepare for an extraordinary astronomical event known as the “Once in a Blue Moon” happening this week. For those interested in witnessing this extraordinary event, look upwards on August 30. The expression “Once in a Blue Moon” alludes to a genuine lunar occurrence, as the name implies, something that is infrequent. The lunar phenomenon seen in Wednesday’s sky will only be repeated for a few years.
Although the term “blue moon” can be misleading, it’s not about the color; Instead, the Moon will glow a captivating orange hue. With the conclusion of a four-part supermoon series that night, the Super Blue Moon will rank as the third-largest moon appearance of the year.
Best Time to See the Blue Supermoon
Catch the best view of the Super Blue Moon on August 30, 2023, as it rises shortly after sunset around 8:37 p.m. EDT. Moonrise during twilight offers the prime evening for moon-watching. European viewers get an extra chance on August 31, with a slightly later moonrise.
What is a Blue Moon?
A Blue Moon is a phrase employed to depict the presence of an extra full moon within a specific timeframe. It’s not related to the Moon’s color; the Moon typically appears in its usual shades. “once in a blue moon” is used colloquially to refer to something rare.
In tradition, a Blue Moon corresponds to the second full Moon appearing within a single calendar month. Since a lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, most months have only one full Moon. However, a full moon occasionally falls early enough in a month to allow for a second one before the month ends, which is where the term “Blue Moon” comes from.
Blue Moons are relatively uncommon, occurring about every 2 to 3 years on average. They have captured cultural and folkloric significance over time and have become a point of interest for skywatchers and enthusiasts.
Why is it called a Super Blue Moon?
A “super blue moon” is termed so because it combines two distinct lunar events: a “supermoon” and a “blue moon. “A supermoon takes place when the Moon reaches its nearest point to Earth in its orbit, causing it to seem larger and more radiant in the sky. A blue moon, on the other hand, refers to the second full Moon within a calendar month. When these two events coincide, they refer to it as a “super blue moon,” which creates a rare and visually striking phenomenon in the night sky.
