The sturgeon supermoon over Vanderbilt University's West End Tower in Nashville, Tenn., in August 2023. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
On Monday night, serious moon viewers may notice something different about the moon — if you look hard enough.
The full moon will be a blue supermoon, a celestial occurrence that combines two events: a supermoon, which is when the moon is closest to the Earth, and a blue moon, the third of four full moons in a single season.
The cosmic event usually happens about once every 10 years, but there was a super blue moon last August as well. NASA determined that the moon had met the criteria for this seemingly rare event two years in a row.
How to see Monday’s blue supermoon
Monday’s supermoon will reach its full peak at 2:26 p.m. EDT, according to NASA, but you might not even notice the difference that night if you aren’t careful.
“I personally can't tell the difference between a supermoon and a regular moon,” Fred Espenak, a scientist emeritus for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, told Morning Edition. “And I've been looking at the moon all my life.”
If you’re after a large moon view, you can watch the moon rise or set in your area. The moon will appear bigger if you watch it rise in the east, or watch the moon set in the west. The larger moon, combined with foreground objects in your area will create a “moon illusion” and make the moon appear bigger.
You can check the local rising and setting times for your area using the U.S. Navy's Moonrise calendar.
If you want a more detailed view of the moon, you can use a telescope or a pair of binoculars. The moon will appear full for three days, according to NASA, but only Monday’s will be a true supermoon.
What makes a moon super? What makes it blue?
Much like the Earth does not orbit the sun in a perfect circle, the moon does not orbit the Earth in a perfect circle. The moon’s orbit is an ellipse shape which results in an oval-like orbit around our planet. This means that at times, the moon is closer to the Earth. When the moon is both full and closest to the Earth, it’s known as a supermoon, because the moon appears brighter and larger than it is normally.
Supermoons occur about three to four times a year. The term was first coined in 1979, but astronomers will call this phenomenon a perigean full moon. Perigee is the scientific term for the closest point of a moon’s orbit. The average perigee is about 226,000 miles from the Earth.
A blue moon is a little less complicated: It has to do with the frequency of the full moon. There are two definitions of blue moons: monthly and seasonal.
A monthly blue moon is when we see two full moons in one month. Monday’s full moon is a seasonal one: It is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. A typical season only has three full moons, but summer 2024 has four.
Monday's moon is also referred to as a sturgeon moon, a term originating from Native Americans, who called August’s full moon the sturgeon moon after the fish, which could be caught in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain during this part of the summer.
Other supermoons happening this fall
If you don’t catch Monday’s blue supermoon, you will be able to see three more supermoons this year. None of them will be a blue supermoon, but they will still appear brighter and larger than other full moons.
Next month’s supermoon will be on Sept. 18. It will be a super harvest moon. It’s called a harvest moon because of its proximity to the autumnal equinox: An equinox is when the Earth’s equator is most directly in line with the sun. This supermoon will also undergo a partial lunar eclipse.
The next two supermoons will occur on Oct. 17 and Nov. 15.
The next seasonal blue supermoon will occur in 2032, while the next monthly blue supermoons will occur in 2037, according to Space.com.
FAQs
There are two definitions of blue moons: monthly and seasonal. A monthly blue moon is when we see two full moons in one month. Monday's full moon is a seasonal one: It is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. A typical season only has three full moons, but summer 2024 has four.
What do I need to know about the supermoon? ›
The term "supermoon" was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979. He defined it as any full Moon which occurs when the Moon is at least 90% of the way toward its closest approach with Earth (perigee). See, the Moon's orbit isn't totally circular.
What is the best time to see the blue supermoon? ›
The moon will reach its peak fullness on Monday afternoon, but depending on the weather, you could glimpse the blue supermoon until Wednesday morning. “The best time to see it is virtually whenever it's dark,” Ciaran Fairhurst, a public engagement officer with the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, said in an email.
What happens on a super blue moon? ›
A supermoon is uncommon, and a blue moon is even rarer. But with the full moon tonight, both these events are happening at the same time. In a phenomenon known as a “super blue moon,” Earth's natural satellite will appear both bigger and brighter than usual—and it will highlight some quirks of our calendar.
What is special about the blue moon? ›
It's super, it's not really blue, but it is beautiful
The rare third of four full moons that will occur this season is known as a blue moon. It will also be an extra bright supermoon, as it's slightly closer to the Earth because of its elliptical orbit.
What is the secret of blue moon? ›
But every once in a while a tropical year contains 13 full Moons, so one season has four full moons instead of just three, hence the 'blue moon. ' The almanac also names all the full moons, including blue moons, at the beginning of each tropical year calendar.
How the supermoon will affect you? ›
The supermoon may affect our dreams, reignite our passion for change or bring up secrets from the past…
What are the spiritual effects of the supermoon? ›
Many people believe that the Supermoon has the power to manifest their desires and bring positive change into their lives. It is thought that the heightened energy of the Supermoon amplifies intentions and prayers, making them more potent so they may come to fruition expeditiously.
Does a supermoon affect sleep? ›
However, 2021 research suggests that the full moon does have an effect on our sleep. Sleep researcher Horacio de la Iglesias was surprised to find that both rural communities that used little to no electricity and students living in the bustling city of Seattle got less sleep around the full moon.
How rare is a blue supermoon? ›
About 25 percent of all full moons are supermoons, but only 6 percent of full moons are blue moons (seasonal and monthly). The time between super blue moons is quite irregular ― it can be as much as 20 years ― but in general, 10 years is the average.
How to see the Aug. 19 blue supermoon? The supermoon will reach its peak lunation at 2:26 p.m. ET on Aug. 19, 2024. It will appear full for three days straight, according to NASA, from Sunday morning to the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 21.
When to look at the blue moon? ›
When will the next blue supermoon be? Supermoons happen three or four times a year and the next ones should fall on 18 September, 17 October and 16 November. September's supermoon will be even closer to Earth, sitting 27,000km away. But blue moons are much rarer, so there won't be another one until May 2026.
How will the blue moon affect me? ›
“The blue full moon in Aquarius brings a dynamic, almost electric energy into our lives, motivating us to revolutionize our reality, free ourselves from stagnation and make long-overdue changes.
Is it good luck to see a blue moon? ›
It typically resonates with the concept of growth and wisdom. It's also a time of second chances and renewed opportunities—a cosmic bonus round, if you will. It's a time to set goals and intentions so you can leverage the already amplified energy of the full Moon.
What are the powers of the blue moon? ›
Enhanced Abilities: Blue Moon has super human strength, endurance and durability, that varies with the moon's phases. She is at full power only under a full moon. Invulnerability: Blue Moon has a degree of invulnerability from damage. Flight: Blue Moon is capable of flight.
How do you take care of a blue moon? ›
PLANTING: Plant in sheltered position, avoid direct sunlight. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Protect from frost and provide plenty of water during dry periods. CARE: Water only when soil begins to dry, gently push your finger into the soil to test for moisture.
What not to do on a super full moon? ›
What not to do on a full moon, according to astrologers
- Seek new beginnings. A full moon isn't the time to set something new in motion. ...
- Initiate intense discussions. ...
- Consume mind-altering substances. ...
- Overextend yourself. ...
- Rush the process. ...
- Prioritize your sleep. ...
- Practice shadow work. ...
- Take a moon bath.
In very rare circ*mstances, the Moon can appear blue, but in this case the colour would be caused by viewing the Moon through a haze of dust particles in our atmosphere, perhaps from a recent volcanic eruption. From space, however, the Moon will look just as grey as it always has!
Does blue moon mean rare? ›
Why do we call it a blue moon? According to Britannica , the term comes from something being rare, dating back to the 16th century. Having a supermoon and a blue moon together is rare. That's because roughly 25 per cent of all full moons are supermoons , and only three per cent of all full moons are blue moons.
