Supermoons and Blue Moons

[phkrause]

Skywatchers rejoice: This August, you'll see a rare blue moon − plus another supermoon

Get ready, skywatchers: A sturgeon supermoon is coming Tuesday, and a rare super blue moon will appear Aug. 30-31.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/07/30/blue-moon-supermoons-august-2023/70461328007/?

[phkrause]

? Parting shot

Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images The full sturgeon supermoon rises behind the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center last night, as seen from Jersey City, N.J. More on the supermoon.

[phkrause]

AP PHOTOS: The first supermoon in August rises around the world

The first of two supermoons in August graced the skies on Tuesday.

https://apnews.com/article/supermoon-double-august-fa2604dcde9e0338fe10119e962009e9?

[phkrause]

Rare blue supermoon brightens the night sky this week in the closest full moon of the year

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Stargazers are in for a double treat this week: a rare blue supermoon with Saturn peeking from behind.

https://apnews.com/article/blue-supermoon-saturn-stargazing-53ab2d47c38c7177debf1eda230153c1?

[phkrause]

August's Rare Super Blue Moon: How and When You Can See It

A super blue moon rises over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif., on Aug. 30, 2023. Credit - Tayfun Coskun—Getty Images

On the heels of  the exciting Perseid meteor shower, the public will be graced with another thrilling night sky moment.

On Monday evening, you’ll have more of a reason than usual to gaze up at the sky, as August’s rare super blue moon will take center stage for the pleasure of photographers, astronomers, and casual viewers.

 

Here's what to know about the celestial event:

What is a super blue moon?

A super blue moon is simultaneously a full moon, blue moon, and a super moon.

The first of these three is pretty well known to us: a phase in the lunar cycle in which the Earth, sun, and moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle, so the moon is fully illuminated on Earth.

A blue moon is not about the color of the moon, but instead the frequency of the full moon. There are two definitions of a blue moon—the first describes when there are two full moons in a single month. Since the moon’s cycle is 29.5 days, and our average calendar month is 30-31 days, it is incredibly rare to have two full moons in one single month, but it is possible, happening every two to three years, according to NASA. Around 3% of full moons are blue moons.

There are also seasonal blue moons, in which a calendar season contains four full moons instead of the usual three, and the blue moon is the third of the four full moons. August’s full moon is of this variety. The next seasonal blue moon is expected in May 2027.

The super moon part refers to the moon's orbit, which brings it slightly closer to Earth this month, making it appear bigger and brighter. This occurs since the moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical instead of just a circle, and thus there are times when the moon is further and closer to our planet.

During the moon’s closest approach to Earth, it can appear approximately 14% larger and shine 30% brighter than when at its farthest point in the orbit. This will be the first of four consecutive super moons this year, and it is less rare than the blue moon, occurring three or four times a year.

August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon moon, dubbed by the Algonquin Native American tribe living in the Great Lakes area and throughout what is now known as the northeastern United States. They named the full moon after sturgeons—a type of large fish—which were most plentiful in the lakes during the month of August.

How and when can you see August’s super blue moon?

The full moon's peak will occur on Monday afternoon, according to NASA, at 2:26 p.m. EDT and 11:26 a.m. PT. It will appear for three days, from Sunday morning until early Wednesday morning.

Though the moon will be visible to the naked eye, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., says that telescope and binocular viewers will be able to see even more detail on the lunar surface than usual.

How rare is a super blue moon? 

According to NASA, the combination of the super moon and the blue moon is rare, and the time between their occurrences is quite “irregular” and could be as much as 20 years, with 10 years between the average.

Though we had a super blue moon somewhat recently, in August 2023, NASA predicts the next super blue moons will occur in January and March 2037. All the more reason to make sure you don’t miss 2024’s offering.

[phkrause]

? 1 fun thing: Look up tonight!

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

August's rare blue supermoon will appear a touch bigger and brighter than most full moons when it lights up the sky this week, Axios' Kelly Tyko writes. Why it matters: It's the first of four consecutive supermoons this year, according to NASA. The agency says it will appear about 6% bigger and 13% brighter than average. It will appear full through early Wednesday morning. Go deeper.

[phkrause]

How to watch August’s supermoon, which kicks off four months of lunar spectacles

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first of four supermoons this year rises next week, providing tantalizing views of Earth’s constant companion.

https://apnews.com/article/supermoon-full-moon-5fa643854a28e8c7d1124aecbd2633c7?

[phkrause]

? 1 fun thing: Look up tonight!

By Kelly Tyko

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

August's rare blue supermoon is lighting up the sky this week. Why it matters: It's the first of four consecutive supermoons this year, according to NASA. The agency says it will appear about 6% bigger and 13% brighter than average. It will appear full through tomorrow morning. More details   ? ICYMI: You can still see the rare, blue supermoon By Kelly Tyko and Kate Murphy     The supermoon known as Blue Moon rises Monday behind the San Diego skyline. Photo: Vishwas Lokesh   August's Blue Moon doesn't appear blue, but it is lighting up the nighttime world this week, including in San Diego. Why it matters: It's the first of four consecutive supermoons this year, according to NASA. The big picture: Photos captured last night show the supermoon, which looks 14% larger than a typical full Moon. Driving the news: The Moon was highest in the sky last night, but it will appear full through early tomorrow morning. Supermoon refers to a full or a new moon rising near or while the Moon reaches perigee, its closest distance to Earth. "Blue Moon" refers to a second full Moon in a calendar month. About 25% of all full Moons are supermoons, NASA says, but only 3% are blue Moons.

[phkrause]

? 1 for the road

Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images The blue supermoon rises from clouds behind the Statue of Liberty last night.

[Gregory Matthews]

Yes, to all of the above.  As I understand it, after we have seen a rare "blue moon," we will shortly see a yellow moon.  My goodness, such changes in color.  

[phkrause]

? 1 fun thing: Supermoon across America

Photo: Adam Gray/AP Above: Last night's supermoon — the first this year — rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York. The moon appeared up to 30% brighter and up to 14% larger than a typical full moon. (NASA) Photo: Kent Nishimura/Reuters Two more supermoons — which occur when the moon is at its closest to Earth — will happen this year: Nov. 5 and Dec. 4. Photo: Julio Cortez/AP Above: A Southwest Airlines plane appears between the supermoon and a statue of Jesus atop a church in Texas as it takes off from Dallas Love Field Airport. More pics.