Thursday, November 21, 2024

A Rare Super Blue Moon Illuminates the Night on August 30th

Prepare to witness a celestial rarity this week! Another supermoon is on the way – and this one is a blue moon!

A remarkable super blue moon is set to grace the night sky as August draws to a close.

The month commenced with a supermoon, and now, as it concludes, a second full supermoon is making its appearance on August 30th, earning it the designation of a “blue moon.” We should clarify, a blue moon isn’t blue in color. Instead, it signifies the occurrence of a second full moon within a single month.

On August 1st, the first full moon of August appeared, marking the second in a series of four consecutive supermoons. Supermoons, on average, shine about 16% brighter than a typical full moon and exhibit a larger appearance. To put it into perspective, NASA likens the difference in size to that between a quarter and a nickel. This celestial phenomenon transpires when the moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth at the same time it reaches its full phase.

The supermoon of August 30th will appear even closer than the one at the month’s outset. As the grand finale, the last of these four consecutive supermoons for the year will be the “Harvest Moon” on September 28th.

What time can you see the blue moon?

According to In the Sky, the Super Blue Moon will rise just after sunset at 7:10 p.m. EST on Wednesday. However, this will not be when the moon is brightest. That shining moment will take place at 9:36 p.m EST.

According to NASA, only 3% of Supermoons are Blue Moons.
According to NASA, only 3% of Supermoons are Blue Moons.

Those who miss this blue moon will have more than a bit of a wait before the next one comes around. According to NASA, just 3% of full moons are blue moons. The next blue moon headed our way after Aug. 30 will be in May 2026. So you don’t want to miss this one!

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