You’ll have a chance to see a rare blue supermoon in the Philadelphia area this week. Here’s everything you need to know:
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon is a new or full moon that occurs when the moon is at 90 percent of its closest approach to Earth, according to NASA. Supermoons are the largest and brightest full moons of the year and only occur three to four times a year.
What is a blue moon?
A Blue Moon is the third full moon in a season with four full moons. It is also used for the second full moon in a month with two full moons. A Blue Supermoon is a rare combination of a Supermoon and a Blue Moon.
Will the moon be blue?
No. “Blue Moon” is just the term used, but the moon does not actually appear blue.
When will the blue supermoon be visible?
The blue supermoon will be visible in the Philadelphia area on Monday, August 19, 2024, and Tuesday, August 20, 2024. According to NASA, the supermoon will peak on Monday, August 19, at 2:26 p.m. ET.
While it will rain on Monday afternoon, the storms and clouds are expected to clear by Monday evening, allowing the blue supermoon to be visible in the sky.
When was the last blue supermoon in the Philadelphia region?
The last blue supermoon was visible in Philadelphia in August 2023.
