Super Blue Moon

The rare supermoon blue moon, also known as the ‘Sturgeon Moon’ appeared on August 19, 2024. A super moon happens when the full moon is at the closest point to Earth in its orbit. Because the moon is closer, it looks about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than it does when it’s farther away. A full moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the sun, making the whole side we see fully lit up. The full moon will rise around sunset and set around sunrise, and it will look “full” not just on the main night but also on the nights right before and after.

What is a Blue Moon?

A blue moon is a term used when there are two full moons in a single month, which happens every 2-3 years. Another definition also refers to the third full moon in a season with four full moons. The blue moon on August 19 was the first of four supermoons in 2024. The others will appear on September 18, October 17, and November 15.

Will the Moon Look Blue?

Even though it’s called a blue moon, the moon won’t look blue. The only time the moon might appear bluish is if there are certain atmospheric conditions, like smoke or dust. Normally, the moon will look more yellow or orange when it’s close to the horizon because of the way light scatters in the atmosphere.

How Often Do Super Blue Moons Happen?

Super blue moons are quite rare, occurring roughly every 10 to 20 years. While about 25% of all full moons are super moons, only about 3% are blue moons. This makes the Super Blue Moon a special event.

Why Might the Moon Look Bigger or Smaller?

While a super moon is technically bigger and brighter, not everyone may notice the difference. How large the moon appears can depend on where you are, how clear the sky is, and something called the “moon illusion,” where the moon looks larger when it’s near the horizon compared to when it’s higher in the sky.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2024

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs