When is the next full moon? How to see the rare Super Blue Moon in August
August kicks off four straight months of super moons, which is when the moon looks larger and brighter in the sky than usual. First up- the Super Blue Moon.
The full moon in August kicks off astronomical events to please sky gazers.
It’s the first of four straight months of super moons, which is when Earth’s satellite appears both bigger and brighter.
When is the next full moon? How to see the rare Super Blue Moon in August
The next full moon, called the Sturgeon Moon, will reach its peak fullness on Monday, Aug. 19, at 2:26 p.m. ET, and the phenomenon is what is known as a Super Blue Moon. According to NASA, a super moon takes place “when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth.” Full super moons are the most brilliant of the year, and can look 30% brighter and 14% bigger than how they usually appear.
As the full moon will be more brilliant than usual, it will be easy to view, barring cloudy weather. Using binoculars can help you see more of its details, but looking at it through a telescope would be ideal.
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What is a Blue Moon? Is it actually blue in color?
The term Blue Moon means that it is the third of four full moons this season.
When you wait to see it on Monday, don’t expect it to be actually blue. According to Brittanica, the term “blue moon” was derived from an expression in the 16th century, “the moon is blue,” which meant that something is thought to be impossible.
However, an eruption of Indonesia’s Krakatoa volcano in 1883 actually caused the moon to appear blue. A “blue moon” therefore was no longer impossible but rather, rare; hence, something that was uncommon is now said to appear “once in a blue moon.”