Cosmic Spectacle: August Brings Double Supermoons and Rare Blue Moon
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Get ready for a magnificent celestial show in August as the cosmos brings not one, but two supermoons, followed by a rare blue moon.
The first supermoon can be witnessed on Tuesday evening as the full moon emerges in the southeast sky, appearing slightly brighter and larger than usual. This phenomenon occurs because the moon will be situated closer to Earth than usual, at a distance of just 222,159 miles (357,530 kilometers), earning it the title of a supermoon.
The spectacle continues on the night of August 30 when the moon will be even closer, at a mere 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) away. This second full moon within the same month earns the label of a blue moon.
Retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak, known as Mr. Eclipse for his expertise in chasing eclipses, encourages everyone to take advantage of the warm summer nights to witness the full moon rising in the eastern sky just minutes after sunset. “And it happens twice in August,” he says.
According to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, the last time two full supermoons appeared in the same month was in 2018. We will not witness this phenomenon again until 2037.
For those unable to witness the cosmic event in person, Masi will be providing a live webcast of the supermoon rising over the Coliseum in Rome. “My plans are to capture the beauty of this… hopefully bringing the emotion of the show to our viewers,” Masi said.
The first supermoon of the year occurred in July, with the final one set to grace our skies in September. However, the two supermoons in August will be even closer than those in the other months.
If the sky remains clear, binoculars or backyard telescopes can enhance the viewing experience. Espenak suggests using these tools to observe lunar maria, the dark plains formed by ancient volcanic lava flows, and the rays emanating from lunar craters.
The August full moon is traditionally known as the sturgeon moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. This name originates from the abundance of sturgeon fish found in the Great Lakes during August, dating back hundreds of years.
The cosmos is offering us a unique opportunity to look up and discover the wonders of the sky. Don’t miss out on this cosmic spectacle in August.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.