On the night of August 30, 2023, the sky treated us to a special sight: Super Blue Moon. Don’t let the name fool you though – it wasn’t blue, and it didn’t look unusually large. According to NASA, the last time we saw a blue supermoon was back in 2009, and we’ll have to wait until 2037 for the next one. So, it was a rare celestial event that lit up the night, but not quite as “Super” or “Blue” as the name suggests.
What is a Super Blue Moon?
- A Super Blue Moon combines a supermoon and a blue moon.
- A Super Blue Moon occurs when the moon aligns closely with Earth during its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter.
- This alignment, called perigee, contrasts with apogee, when the moon is farthest in its elliptical orbit around earth.
- While the difference is subtle, near the horizon, an optical illusion can make it seem larger.
- The term “Super Blue Moon” was coined in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle. A blue moon is the second full moon in a month.
- Despite its name, a blue moon isn’t blue; it’s the traditional name for the second full moon in a month.
- Sometimes, smoke or dust in the air can scatter red wavelengths of light, as a result of which the moon may, in certain places, appear more blue than usual, but this has nothing to do with the name “blue” moon.
How rare is a Super Blue Moon?
- Blue supermoons are quite rare, happening roughly once every ten years, according to NASA.
- Sometimes, the gap between these special moons can stretch to as much as twenty years.
- The next pair of super blue moons is expected in 2037, occurring in January and March. So, mark your calendars for this celestial spectacle!
Effect
When there’s a supermoon, the moon’s strong gravitational pull has a small impact on tides, leading to slight changes in high and low tides along the coast. But don’t worry, these changes are usually minor and won’t cause any big problems.
Read Also: What is Pink moon and where it can be seen?
