Extremely Rare ‘Blue Supermoon’ will be the brightest of the year to light up the skies this week
Skygazers are in for a treat this week, as a rare “Blue Supermoon” will be visible in the night sky. The Blue Moon will occur on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, and it will be the brightest of the year.
A Blue Moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. This happens about once every two to three years. A Supermoon occurs when the full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. This makes the moon appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
The combination of a Blue Moon and a Supermoon is a very rare event. It happens only once every 19 years on average. The last Blue Supermoon occurred in August 2012, and the next one won’t happen until August 2032.
The Blue Supermoon will be visible all over the world, weather permitting. The best time to see it will be just after moonrise, when it will be low in the sky and appear larger than usual.
If you miss the Blue Supermoon this week, don’t worry. There will be another one in July 2025.
Here are some additional facts about the Blue Supermoon:
- The Blue Moon will reach its peak brightness at 9:36 p.m. EDT on August 30.
- The moon will appear about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a regular full moon.
- The Blue Supermoon will be visible in all parts of the world, weather permitting.
- The next Blue Supermoon will occur on July 22, 2025.
The Blue Supermoon is a truly a sight to behold, and it’s a rare opportunity to see the moon at its brightest. So if you’re lucky enough to have clear skies this week, be sure to step outside and enjoy the show.