August 19th 2024.
Tonight, for those in the UK, there will be a rare and spectacular sight in the sky. A super blue moon will grace us with its presence on Monday night. You may have already noticed the moon looking particularly special, and let me assure you, your eyes are not playing tricks on you.
Supermoons are not an everyday occurrence, happening only three to four times a year. This phenomenon takes place when the full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger in size. But this supermoon is even more unique as it coincides with a blue moon.
If you're wondering when and where you can witness this magnificent event, we've got you covered. The blue supermoon will be visible in the UK on Monday, August 19, starting from around 8pm when the sun sets and the sky turns darker. Don't be surprised if you hear it referred to as the "sturgeon moon," as this is the name given to the full moon in August.
The sturgeon moon gets its name from Native American tribes who would often catch the giant sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes during this time of year. So if you're looking to see the blue supermoon, make sure to find a spot away from city and town centers to avoid light pollution. It's best to just look up and take in the breathtaking scenery, but if you have a telescope or binoculars, you'll be able to see even more details on the lunar surface.
But what exactly is a blue moon? Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with the color of the moon. It's all about timing. There are actually two types of blue moons. The first is when there are 13 full moons in a year instead of the usual 12, which happens approximately every other year. The second type is when the fourth full moon falls in a single season, which is what's happening this summer.
Now, let's talk about the super blue moon. What makes it so rare and special? Well, it's the combination of a full moon, a supermoon, and a blue moon all happening at the same time. According to NASA, this particular combination is quite irregular and only occurs once every 10 years on average. In fact, it can be as rare as once every 20 years.
So if you miss tonight's super blue moon, you may have to wait a while to see it again. The next one won't be until August 2023. And even then, we won't see another until January and March 2037. That's why you won't want to miss it tonight.
But don't worry, if you do miss it, there will still be other supermoons to look forward to. Next month, on September 18, there will be a typical supermoon. And there will be two more in October and November, on the 18th and 15th, respectively. So keep your eyes on the sky and don't miss out on these amazing celestial events.
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