Each month, we get the chance to view a spectacular full moon. But the one we’ll be getting this month is considered especially rare. Why? Because we’ll not only be getting a blue moon in August, but we’ll also be getting a supermoon, too! Allow me to break down what all of that means, exactly. Let’s start with the term supermoon. Basically, this refers to how close the moon will be to Earth.
While we already get a good view of the moon most of the time, there are occasions when its orbit brings it especially close to Earth. When this happens, we call it a supermoon. In other words, we can expect the moon to appear especially large in the sky.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for August’s Rare Blue Moon This Weekend
You might think that the blue moon would be… well, blue in color. But that’s actually not the case. Each season, we can expect to see three full moons — most of the time, anyway. Once every two to three years, however, we’ll get four of them. When this happens, the third full moon of the season (summer in this case), earns the nickname “blue.” This is meant to indicate the rareness of the event.
While both supermoons and blue moons are rare, put them together, and you have an event that only takes place every 10 to 20 years. In fact, the next one we’ll see is in January 2037.
How and When to See the Rare, Blue Supermoon
So, if you don’t want to miss out on this spectacular sight, you’ll want to look up at the night sky this weekend. You can first catch a glimpse on Sunday, August 18. That said, the peak viewing time will actually be on Monday, August 19. For the best viewing experience, no matter the day, head out to an area without many lights. Have fun!
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