In Lecce, Italy, on Monday, the full moon, called the "Super Blue Moon" or "Super Sturgeon Moon," was visible as it came closest to Earth. AP Photo)
Monday night offers a special treat for stargazers with a rare event: a super blue moon. This event combines two celestial phenomena—a supermoon and a blue moon—into one spectacular night. NASA highlights that such a pairing happens only about every 10 years.
A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with its closest point to Earth in its orbit. Although this supermoon won’t be among the largest, it will still appear notably bigger than usual, about 14% larger than when the moon is at its farthest distance from Earth. The moon's colour will stay in the typical shades of off-white and gray with touches of brown and yellow.
On Monday, August 19, 2024, a supermoon rises behind the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, south of Athens. (AP Photo)
On the other hand, a blue moon is defined in two ways. The traditional definition is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. However, there’s also a newer definition which refers to the second full moon within a single calendar month. This rare event aligns with the seasonal blue moon about once every 10 years.
The supermoon rises through the clouds in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Monday, August 19, 2024. (AP Photo)
For those eager to catch this rare celestial show, it's important to note that the next occurrence of a supermoon paired with a seasonal blue moon won't happen again until August 21, 2032. If you're looking for a supermoon with a monthly blue moon, mark January 2037 on your calendars.
This super blue moon also signals the nearing end of summer, as seasonal blue moons typically appear about a month before an equinox or solstice.
An airplane flies past the supermoon over Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
Unfortunately, weather conditions may affect visibility. The National Weather Service predicts thunderstorms from the northern mid-Atlantic to New England, and other regions may also face storms. However, in the San Francisco Bay Area, conditions are expected to be clear, offering good visibility for moon watchers.
In San Francisco, fans attending the Giants game against the White Sox will have a unique experience. Following the game, Blue Moon Brewing of Denver is organizing a drone show at Oracle Park to celebrate the occasion. The show, aptly named "Once in a Blue Moon," will light up the night sky with a dazzling display, complementing the celestial event.
