After the first supermoon of the month, we say goodbye in August with another supermoon that will be even more special as it is called “blue”. This phenomenon will not occur again until 2037.
The year 2023 offers us the opportunity to enjoy up to four supermoons. August will be an especially bounty month as it brings us two Super Moons: one on the first day of the month and another on the last day. This means that on these very special days we can admire the extraordinary beauty and luminosity of the moon. Don’t miss the opportunity to marvel at these unique astronomical events.
The first supermoon of August, known as the “Sturgeon Moon,” reached its maximum splendor on August 1 at 7:31 p.m. in Spain. During this time we have been able to enjoy the moon at its brightest and largest form yet. It is interesting to note that many of the popular nicknames used for full moons derive from ancient Native American traditions and other cultural sources in South America. North. These nicknames have been passed down from generation to generation and give special meaning to these heavenly events.
When and where can you see the super blue moon?
However, now is the time for the second supermoon of the month, also known as the blue moon. This astronomical event is so peculiar and rare that it will not occur again until 2037. The supermoon will reach its maximum peak at 3:36 a.m. (Spanish time), on the night of August 30-31. It is a unique moment to observe and enjoy this heavenly phenomenon. And in the rest of the countries? Observe:
- On August 30 around 19:30 (time from Mexico).
- On August 30 around 20:30 (time from Colombia).
- On August 30 at around 10:30 p.m. (time from Argentina).
However, the Super Blue Moon will not become visible until it rises above the horizon, around sunset on August 30th.
The term “blue moon” does not refer to the color of the moon, but to its frequency. The second full moon that occurs within the same calendar month is called the “blue moon.” The fact that some months have 31 days makes this phenomenon more likely to occur, although seeing two full moons in the same month is fairly rare. The last time we saw a super blue moon was in 2021. The occurrence of full moons this time of year is really peculiar, occurring about every two and a half years. Interestingly, full moons during this time tend to rise slowly and stay low on the horizon. As a result, they do not appear bluish, but in orange tones. According to calculations, the next blue moon is expected in 2026. However, unlike other times, this time it will not be a super moon. It is important to note that there will also be another blue moon in 2024, but this is considered “seasonal”.
Same moon, multiple names
Accordingly Maine Farmer’s AlmanacDuring the full moon in August, Algonquian tribes in what is now the Northeastern United States named the lunar disk “Sturgeon Moon” after these large fish, which were much easier to catch in the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water at that time of year. .
This year, the supermoon cycle is truly remarkable as the four events follow each other one after the other. The first Supermoon occurred on July 3rd, followed by two more in August, and the last of this series will be visible on September 29th.
What is a super moon?
“The sun always illuminates half of the moon while the other half remains dark, but how much of that illuminated half we can see changes as the moon progresses through its orbit.‘ explains NASA. During the full moon phase, we can enjoy impressive solar illumination throughout the day side of the moon. However, when this coincidence occurs at the same time that the moon is in its closest orbit to Earth, we call it a “supermoon” and can perceive it to be up to 30% brighter and 14% larger than usual. As we always clarify, it is a visual and not a real effect that occurs on certain days of the year.
The moon’s orbit around the earth does not have a perfect circumference, but is oval or elliptical in shape. This means that the moon oscillates between its closest and furthest distances from our planet as it completes its orbital cycle.
And a super blue moon?
A super blue moon is a rare astronomical event that occurs when there are two full moons in one month and the second occurs at perigee, which is when it is closest to Earth.
It is interesting to note that the last time we witnessed a perigee Blue Moon was more than 27 years ago on July 30, 1996. We will have to wait until December 31, 2115 to enjoy this rare astronomical phenomenon again. .
Full moon calendar for the rest of the year:
- August 31, Blue Moon (Super Moon)
- September 29, Harvest Moon
- October 28, Hunter’s Moon
- November 27, Beaver moon
- December 27, Ice Moon
With information from: NASA Solar System website
You may also be interested
