Every two to three years, people can enjoy the wonderful sight of a blue moon. A blue moon is the result of an irregular cycle of the moon’s phases. It usually takes 29.5 days for the moon to go through all 12 phases. Because of the irregular cycle, there is a 13th full moon in a calendar year approximately every two and a half years.
When will the next blue moon occur?
The next blue moon is scheduled to appear on August 19, 2024, according to space.com. The full moon phase will peak at 2:26 p.m. ET (6:26 p.m. GMT).
Two types of blue moons
Ideally, blue moons are defined in two ways. The first is the seasonal blue moon, a traditional definition of the phase. It refers to the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, as opposed to three full moons, according to NASA.
The second term used to define a blue moon is a “monthly blue moon,” which is a more common term these days. A monthly blue moon is defined as the second full moon that occurs within a calendar month.
When was the last blue moon?
The last blue moon occurred on August 30, 2023. Skywatchers can enjoy the blue moon with the naked eye on the night of August 19.
The best way to capture a blue moon
The best blue moon shots are taken with high-resolution, modern cameras. However, with a few adjustments, people can also capture wonderful blue moon shots with their smartphones. First, it’s important to take the picture when the blue moon is at its highest. Next, keep your phone fully charged at all times so you don’t miss an opportunity to take a photo.
The next step is to find a good location from which you can see the moon most clearly and well. Another important point is image composition. It is always interesting to give context to your photos. Instead of taking vague and boring photos of a moon in an empty sky, think of other scenes where moons peek out between trees or rise between two buildings. Try to use different angles so that your photo tells a different story, even if it was taken with a smartphone and not a high-resolution camera.
