Blue Moon
On the night of August 31, a celestial spectacle will captivate sky enthusiasts worldwide—a phenomenon known as the “Blue Moon.” This unique event, despite its name, won’t reveal a blue-hued moon; instead, it will shine in a captivating shade of orange.
A Blue Moon occurs when a supermoon or full Moon coincides with a perigee, the Moon’s closest approach to Earth. While not exceedingly, it remain intriguing in astronomy. The most recent one appeared in August 2021.
The lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, fitting approximately 12 lunar cycles into a year (totaling 354 days). Every 2.5 years, a thirteenth full moon emerges within a year. During this event, this appears slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon, about 40 percent larger and 30 percent brighter. While this difference may not be visible to the naked eye, binoculars can enhance the view.
To observe the Super Blue Moon, look to the skies shortly after sunset. It will grace the night on August 30, around 8:37 PM EDT. European viewers will have an extended opportunity to witness moonrise. In London, it rises at 8:08 PM BST. Meanwhile in New York, moonrise is at 7:45 PM EDT, followed by moonset at 7:33 PM EDT, with the full moon’s brilliance at 8:37 PM EDT.
While in Los Angeles, moonrise and sunset occur at 7:36 PM PDT, with the full moon appearing at 5:37 PM PDT. London residents can witness the moon at 7:52 PM BST during sunset and 8:24 PM BST, with the full moon at 1:37 AM BST.
As the Super Blue Moon takes center stage, sky watchers and astronomy enthusiasts anticipate this remarkable display of celestial beauty.
