It has been a summer of supermoons, and skygazers are in for a treat as a third sighting is just around the corner.
Not only that, but it will also be a blue moon – the second full moon in a single month.
Supermoons are full moons that occur closer to Earth than normal, appearing slightly larger and brighter in the sky. This point is known as lunar perigee.
The Moon’s orbit is elliptical, meaning it isn’t always the same distance from the planet. During the full supermoon earlier this month, the Moon was around 222,000 miles away. At its furthest point, lunar apogee, the distance is around 252,000 miles.
But with the last full supermoon sighting spoilt by cloudy conditions, Brits will have another chance see the beauty of a supermoon when the phenomenon repeats itself next week.
When is the blue supermoon? UK date and time
In the UK, the blue supermoon will rise in the east at 7.52pm BST on Tuesday, August 30, 2023.
It should be visible until it sets in the west at 5.23am BST on Wednesday, August 31.
The best time to see the blue moon will be just after sunset when the sky is still dark. You can see it with the naked eye, but you’ll get a better view with binoculars or a telescope.
Why is it called a blue moon?
According to Nasa, a monthly Blue Moon is the second full moon in a calendar month with two full moons.
A blue moon can also refer to a seasonal blue moon, which is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. This type of blue moon is much rarer than a monthly blue moon. The next seasonal blue moon will be on August 19, 2024.
The term ‘blue moon’ is actually a misnomer – the moon will not really turn blue. The name likely comes from the old English saying ‘once in a blue moon’, which means ‘rarely’.
The moon can occasionally appear blue but this has nothing to do with the calendar or the Moon’s phases.
If you do spot a blue-colored Moon, it’s due to water droplets in the air, certain types of clouds, or particles thrown into the atmosphere by natural catastrophes, such as volcanic ash and smoke.
In 1883, following the eruption of an Indonesian volcano called Krakatoa, blue-coloured moons appeared for years.
Tips for seeing the August blue supermoon
- Find a dark location The darker the sky, the better you’ll be able to see the Moon
- Avoid light pollution If you’re near city lights, try to find a spot that’s away from the city centre
- Be patient The moon may take a few minutes to appear in the sky
- Download stargazing apps like Night Sky and Stellarium to better understand where things are in the sky
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