This Monday evening, you will be able to observe a “super blue moon”
The next full moon, one of the largest and brightest of the year, will light up the sky on the night of Monday, August 19 to Tuesday, August 20. But it has nothing blue about it.
A “super moon” in Basel, September 28, 2015.
KEYSTONE
“Super Moon”, “Sturgeon Moon”, “Blue Moon”, “Grain Moon”, “Dog Moon”… so many names to qualify the next full moon, which will take place on the night of Monday, August 19 to Tuesday, August 20. It will be the first of four consecutive super moons this year, NASA explains, the federal agency responsible for the United States’ civil space program.
The term “super moon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 to designate a new moon or full moon that occurs when the celestial body “is 90% closer to Earth,” details the organization. In other words, they are among the largest and brightest of the year.
Interestingly, tonight’s full moon is also a “blue moon.” This term can be used to refer to “the second full moon observed during the same month,” explains the institution. “Libération” specifies that the August 2024 moon is seasonal, meaning it is the third full moon of an astronomical season, which will have four full moons instead of the usual three.
But in reality… it has nothing blue about it. So why this terminology? The use of “Blue Moon” in English dates back to 1528, claims NASA. The institution reminds that it may come from an old English expression meaning “deceitful moon,” as it led to errors in fixing the dates for Lent and Easter.
To observe this spectacle in Switzerland, one will need to look up at the sky starting from 20:26 this Monday, August 19. Provided that the sky is clear.
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