August brings a celestial treat with a dual display of supermoons, culminating in a rare phenomenon known as the “blue moon.”
The spectacle commences on Tuesday evening, as the full moon emerges in the southeast, boasting a slightly amplified brilliance and size. This is due to its closer proximity, a mere 222,159 miles (357,530 kilometers) away, earning it the title of a supermoon.
The lunar proximity will reach an even closer distance on the night of August 30, a mere 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) distant. As this second full moon occurs within the same month, it acquires the distinctive name of a blue moon.
Astrophysicist Fred Espenak, renowned as “Mr. Eclipse” for his expertise in chasing eclipses, expressed the appeal of watching the full moon ascend in the eastern sky within minutes of sunset, particularly during warm summer nights. This occurrence will grace the month of August twice, providing a unique viewing opportunity.
Remarkably, the previous instance of two full supermoons coinciding within a single month was in 2018. According to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, this phenomenon will not repeat until 2037.
Gianluca Masi plans to conduct a live webcast of Tuesday evening’s supermoon, capturing its beauty as it rises over the Coliseum in Rome, with the intention of evoking an emotional experience for viewers.
Moreover, the supermoon presents an excellent chance for stargazers to explore the night sky and deepen their understanding of celestial wonders, according to Masi.
This year’s first supermoon graced the skies in July, while the fourth and final one will make its appearance in September. However, the two supermoons in August will be positioned even closer than their counterparts in July and September.
With clear skies, binoculars or backyard telescopes can enhance the observation, enabling the viewer to discern lunar features such as lunar maria, dark plains formed by ancient volcanic lava flows, and rays emanating from lunar craters, as advised by Fred Espenak.
Traditionally, the August full moon is known as the “sturgeon moon,” harking back to an era when the Great Lakes teemed with an abundance of this fish during August, centuries ago.
