August’s supermoon is the first of four lunar spectacles. The rare Blue Supermoon lights up night skies globally.
It is a stargazer and photographer’s dream: a rare supermoon lit up the sky globally.
A supermoon, which is more a popular term than a scientific one, is used to describe when the moon is at its closest to the Earth, at the same time that it’s full. The phenomenon usually occurs only three or four times a year.
Because the moon inches a little closer than usual, it appears to be larger and brighter.
Tonight’s supermoon was especially rare as it was also a Blue Moon. This rare instance occurs when there are two full moons within a single calendar month or four full moons within a single season. In this case, it is the latter.
Afraid you missed it? According to NASA, the Super Blue Moon can be seen through early Wednesday morning.
The next supermoon will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse and will be on the night of September 18, followed by October 17, which will be the year’s closest approach. The final supermoon will round out the year on November 15.