Next week, sky enthusiasts are in for a celestial treat as an exceedingly rare blue supermoon graces the night sky.
The anticipation is building for what experts predict will be the grandest lunar spectacle of the year.
Blue Supermoon’s Spectacular Show Approaches
Set to make its appearance on the night of August 30, this blue supermoon is generating considerable excitement. According to reports from various outlets, it’s poised to become the biggest and brightest moon of the year, capturing the attention of stargazers around the world.
For those eager to catch a glimpse, the supermoon is expected to rise at 7:10 p.m. ET (2310 GMT) on August 30 and set at 6:46 a.m. ET (1146 GMT) on August 31, as forecasted by InTheSky.org. Observers fortunate enough to witness this event may notice a slight increase in the moon’s apparent size of roughly 7%, as detailed by Space.com.
Adding to the celestial spectacle, Saturn will also be making a dazzling appearance on the same night. Positioned directly opposite the sun from Earth’s perspective, the gas giant will radiate an enhanced brightness.
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NASA’s Insight Into the Supermoon’s Grandeur
In the constellation Aquarius, Saturn will grace the sky above and to the right of the supermoon for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, those in the Southern Hemisphere can delight in seeing Saturn positioned just below the moon.
As retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak advises, the warm summer evenings are an optimal time to witness the full moon’s rise in the east shortly after sunset. This breathtaking sight will undoubtedly be enhanced by the looming presence of the blue supermoon.
For the scientifically curious, NASA explains that a supermoon phenomenon occurs when a full moon reaches its closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as perigee. This proximity results in an illusion of increased size and brilliance. Interestingly, a blue moon is not related to color but instead signifies a second full moon occurring within a single month.
As August’s first full moon, known as the Sturgeon Moon, already graced the skies on the night of August 1, the upcoming blue supermoon is set to be a memorable event that aligns with the rare rhythm of the cosmos.
According to Space.com, occurrences of blue moons are relatively frequent in astronomical terms, happening once every two to three years.
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