Rare super blue moon graces skies on 19 August
Super blue moon peaks 19 August, won't appear again until 2037
August brings another remarkable celestial event following the Perseid meteor shower earlier this month—the rare convergence of a supermoon and a blue moon. The super blue moon will reach its peak fullness at 2:26 p.m. ET on Monday, 19 August. Since this occurs during daylight hours in the US, Americans will need to wait until evening to see it slightly past its peak. Despite this, the moon will still appear noticeably larger and brighter than usual.
NASA states that this super blue moon will appear full for three days. A supermoon and a blue moon occurring together is a rare event. The next occurrence is expected in January and March 2037. Supermoons are the largest and brightest lunar displays of the year. They occur when the moon’s orbit is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. At its closest, the moon can appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it’s furthest from Earth, approximately 226,000 miles away.
The term “supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979. Supermoons typically appear three to four times annually and always consecutively. This year, the next three full moons will be supermoons, occurring on 17 September, 17 October, and 15 November.
The Super Blue Moon of Tonight 🌕#SuperMoon #BlueMoon pic.twitter.com/ZMOsJbrArc
— Musarat Awan (@Musaratryk) August 20, 2024
Despite its name, a blue moon has little to do with colour and more with timing. There are two types: seasonal and monthly. The blue moon on 19 August will be seasonal. A seasonal blue moon is the third full moon in a season with four full moons. A monthly blue moon is the second full moon in a single month. The next seasonal blue moon is anticipated in May 2027.
While the super blue moon on 19 August won’t be blue, the moon has occasionally appeared blue. This happens when tiny airborne particles, such as smoke or dust, scatter red wavelengths of light, causing the moon to look blue.
Although supermoons and seasonal blue moons are common individually, their combination is highly unusual. The interval between super blue moons can be up to 20 years, but 10 years is the average. Notably, 2023 also featured a super blue moon in August.
After 19 August, the next super blue moons will appear in January and March 2037.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is a super blue moon?
A super blue moon is a rare event combining a supermoon and a blue moon.
When can I see the super blue moon in August 2023?
The super blue moon will peak on Aug. 19, 2023, at 2:26 p.m. ET.
How often do super blue moons occur?
Super blue moons occur approximately every 10 years on average.
What’s the difference between a seasonal and a monthly blue moon?
A seasonal blue moon is the third full moon in a season with four full moons; a monthly blue moon is the second full moon in a month.
When is the next super blue moon after 2023?
The next super blue moons will occur in January and March 2037.
