Super Blue Moons Explained: NASA Answers Your Questions

Super Blue Moons: Everything You Need to Know

The upcoming full moon on August 19, 2024, is garnering significant attention due to its unique characteristics. This moon will be a full moon, a supermoon, and a blue moon—all at once! If you’re wondering what that means and why it’s significant, this article will break down the details in an easy-to-understand manner.

What is a Supermoon?

To grasp the concept of a supermoon, it’s important to understand the Moon’s orbit around Earth. The Moon travels in an elliptical orbit, which means it doesn’t circle the Earth in a perfect circle but rather in an elongated shape. This causes the Moon to be closer to Earth at certain points in its orbit.

A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth, called perigee, and it coincides with a full moon. Because the Moon is nearer to us, it appears larger and brighter in the sky. In fact, a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a regular full moon.

The distances in the Moon’s orbit can vary each month due to gravitational influences from both the Earth and the Sun. This causes the exact distance of perigee (closest point) and apogee (farthest point) to change, making some supermoons appear slightly larger than others.

What is a Blue Moon?

The term "blue moon" can be a bit misleading. It doesn’t refer to the color of the Moon but rather to its timing. There are two types of blue moons:

1. Monthly Blue Moon: This happens when there are two full moons in one calendar month. Since the Moon’s cycle is approximately 29.5 days, occasionally, a full moon will occur at the beginning of a month and another at the end.
2. Seasonal Blue Moon: This occurs when there are four full moons in a single season (spring, summer, fall, or winter) instead of the usual three. The third full moon in this series is designated as the blue moon.

   The blue moon on August 19, 2024, is a seasonal blue moon, making it the third full moon in the summer season.

   Will the Moon Actually Be Blue?
   

   No, despite its name, the Moon will not appear blue. The term "blue moon" is simply a way to distinguish these rare occurrences. However, on very rare occasions, atmospheric conditions such as dust or smoke particles can scatter red wavelengths, making the Moon appear bluish.

   Will This Super Blue Moon Be Extra Special?
   

   While a supermoon does appear larger and brighter than a regular full moon, the difference is often subtle. The Moon can look up to 14% bigger when it’s closest to Earth compared to when it’s farthest away. To put this in perspective, this size difference is similar to comparing a quarter and a nickel. Because the Moon will be at its closest point to Earth during a full moon, it will indeed be brighter and somewhat larger than usual.

   Do Supermoons and Blue Moons Often Occur Together?
   

   Combining a supermoon and a blue moon is relatively rare. While about 25% of all full moons are supermoons, only 6% are blue moons. The occurrence of a super blue moon is quite irregular, happening on average every 10 years. If you consider both seasonal and monthly blue moons, the gap shortens to about five years.

   For example, the next pair of monthly super blue moons will occur in January and March 2037. Seasonal blue moons, such as the one on August 19, 2024, happen almost exactly one month before an equinox or solstice. The next seasonal blue moon will be on August 21, 2032.

   Is It Worth Checking Out?
   

   Absolutely! Observing the Moon is always a fascinating experience. Even if the differences in size and brightness are subtle, the fact that this event combines both a supermoon and a blue moon makes it special. You can use NASA’s Daily Moon Guide to find the best times and locations for observing the Moon and other celestial objects.

   Additional Information and Resources
   

   For those who are interested in further exploring the Moon and other celestial phenomena, NASA provides a wealth of resources. Here are some related articles and guides to enhance your skywatching experience:

   • The Summer Triangle’s Hidden Treasures: Discover the wonders of the Summer Triangle and what makes it a stellar highlight.
   • Solar Eclipse Data Story: Learn how data stories can help visualize upcoming solar eclipses.
   • The Next Full Moon is a Supermoon Blue Moon: Get more details about upcoming celestial events.
     

     Editor’s Note
     

     This article was last updated on August 19, 2024, by Tracy Vogel. For further details and updates, you can visit NASA’s official website.

     Explore More Topics
     

     NASA’s website offers a wide range of topics for those who are curious about space, missions, climate change, and more. Here are some topics you might find interesting:

   • Missions: Discover the latest missions NASA is undertaking.
   • Humans in Space: Learn about human endeavors in space exploration.
   • Climate Change: Understand how climate change is affecting our world.
   • Solar System: Explore the wonders of our solar system.

     In conclusion, the super blue moon on August 19, 2024, is a celestial event worth observing. While the changes in size and brightness may be subtle, the combination of a supermoon and a blue moon makes it a unique occurrence. So, mark your calendars and enjoy the view!

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