This week, a quirky mixture of science, hyperbole and folklore will cause millions of people to go outside and stare at the sky. We're talking about the Super Blue Moon. This is what it will look like:
Above: A "supermoon" over Cape Cod on Oct. 15, 2016. Credit: Chris Cook.
The Super Blue Moon on Wednesday evening, Aug. 30th, will look a lot like an ordinary full Moon. However, there are three things that make it special.
First, the science: This week's full Moon is the biggest and brightest of 2023. Astronomers call it a "perigee moon." The Moon's orbit is an ellipse with one side ("perigee") about 50,000 km closer than the other ("apogee"). Full Moons that occur on the perigee side of the Moon's orbit are extra big and bright. This week's Moon will become full within 9 hours of perigee, making it the closest full Moon of the year (357,181 km away).
Next, the hyperbole: About 10 years ago, many science journalists and even some astronomers started calling perigee Moons "supermoons." A supermoon is 8% bigger and 15% brighter than an average full Moon. Would you call Clark Kent "super" if he were only 8% faster and 15% stronger than an average human? No, but let's roll with it! People love super things.
Finally, the folklore: You've probably heard the expression "Once in a blue Moon." It means "rare." Modern folklore provides a more precise definition. When there are two full Moons in a calendar month, the second one is "blue." Such blue moons come along every 2 to 3 years. August already had one full Moon on Aug. 2nd; now it is about to have another (blue) one on Aug. 30th.
First, the science: This week's full Moon is the biggest and brightest of 2023. Astronomers call it a "perigee moon." The Moon's orbit is an ellipse with one side ("perigee") about 50,000 km closer than the other ("apogee"). Full Moons that occur on the perigee side of the Moon's orbit are extra big and bright. This week's Moon will become full within 9 hours of perigee, making it the closest full Moon of the year (357,181 km away).
Next, the hyperbole: About 10 years ago, many science journalists and even some astronomers started calling perigee Moons "supermoons." A supermoon is 8% bigger and 15% brighter than an average full Moon. Would you call Clark Kent "super" if he were only 8% faster and 15% stronger than an average human? No, but let's roll with it! People love super things.
Finally, the folklore: You've probably heard the expression "Once in a blue Moon." It means "rare." Modern folklore provides a more precise definition. When there are two full Moons in a calendar month, the second one is "blue." Such blue moons come along every 2 to 3 years. August already had one full Moon on Aug. 2nd; now it is about to have another (blue) one on Aug. 30th.
By the way, the Moon won't literally turn blue. Most blue Moons are pale gray when they are high in the sky, or orange when they are rising and setting. If you actually see blue, it could mean that a volcano is erupting or a wildfire is nearby. Run!
In summary, this week's Super Blue Moon will be about 15% bigger and more gorgeous than an average moon. Go out after sunset on Aug. 30th, look east, and watch it rise into the darkening summer sky.
https://spaceweather.com/
In summary, this week's Super Blue Moon will be about 15% bigger and more gorgeous than an average moon. Go out after sunset on Aug. 30th, look east, and watch it rise into the darkening summer sky.
https://spaceweather.com/
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