As August approaches, scientists at NASA are urging sky watchers to keep their eyes on the night sky for a magical display that is set to take place. The next full moon in August will be both a supermoon and a blue moon, making it a rare and exciting event for astronomers and sky watchers alike.
The upcoming full moon, also known as the sturgeon moon or dog moon, will be within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, making it a supermoon. The term „supermoon“ was first coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 and refers to when a new or full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. This phenomenon results in the moon appearing larger and brighter in the night sky.
In addition to being a supermoon, the upcoming full moon will also be a blue moon. A blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in the same calendar month, which is a relatively rare event. The last blue moon occurred in March 2018, and the next one is not expected until October 2020.
According to NASA, the full moon is expected to be visible by Monday afternoon on August 19, starting during the daylight hours in the eastern standard time zone at 2:26 p.m. However, visibility may vary depending on weather conditions and your location on the globe. Sky watchers are advised to find a clear and unobstructed view of the sky to witness this celestial event.
Last year, Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi gained thousands of views on his free live stream when he shared a view of the supermoon, which coincided with the Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan. This year, Masi’s website will be streaming the celestial event again on Monday, marking the third full moon of four this season to be streamed on the website.
While the upcoming full moon won’t actually appear blue in color, it has been called a blue moon since 1528. The origins of the term are unclear, but it has become a popular way to refer to the second full moon in a calendar month.
In addition to the supermoon and blue moon, NASA notes that on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning (August 20-21), the planet Saturn will move close to the full moon. Sky watchers will be able to see Saturn resting two degrees above the eastern horizon with the moon a degree to the upper left. By Wednesday morning at 1:02 a.m. ET, the moon will be at its closest point to Earth on its orbit, known as perigee.
Overall, the upcoming supermoon and blue moon in August promise to be a spectacular sight in the night sky. Whether you’re an avid astronomer or simply enjoy gazing at the stars, this event is sure to captivate and inspire all who witness it. So mark your calendars and be sure to keep your eyes on the night sky for this magical display.