Although the supermoon is visible to the naked eye, using a telescope or binoculars can enhance the experience by revealing more lunar details. Experts recommend checking the weather forecast to avoid clouds and give your eyes time to gradually adjust to the darkness.
Astrological Meaning of the Super Blue Moon
Astrologically, a supermoon is a full moon that coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, making it appear slightly larger and brighter. The Blue Moon adds an element of rarity to the event. Together, these phenomena create a rare and powerful celestial event.
According to astrologer Pandit Jagannath Guruji, the moon is associated with emotions, intuition and the subconscious. During the full moon, these aspects are intensified, and the super blue moon amplifies this effect even further. It is a time of heightened emotional and intuitive clarity, offering opportunities for insight and transformation. The combination of the super moon and the blue moon brings an element of surprise and unpredictability, opening up new possibilities and potentially forcing one to confront unexpected changes, he said.
What is Supermoon
On August 19, 2024, the full moon will be called a supermoon, a term coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979. A supermoon occurs when a full or new moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, known as perigee. This proximity makes the moon appear larger and brighter than usual, attracting the public’s attention. The upcoming supermoon is the first of four consecutive supermoons in 2024. The full moons in September and October will also be almost as close, making them the most impressive of the year.
Understanding a Supermoon
To understand the concept of a supermoon, it’s important to understand the moon’s elliptical orbit around the Earth. This orbit has two key points: the perigee, where the moon is closest to the Earth, and the apogee, where it is farthest away. When a full moon occurs near the perigee, it is called a supermoon and appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when the moon is at apogee. This difference in size is comparable to the difference between a quarter and a nickel, making supermoons a visually stunning event.
The Blue Moon
In addition to being a supermoon, the full moon on August 19 is also a blue moon, although it does not appear blue. The term “blue moon” historically referred to the third full moon in a season with four full moons, a relatively rare occurrence. The first recorded use of the term dates back to 1528. However, since the 1940s, “blue moon” has also come to describe the second full moon in a single calendar month, which happens because the lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, slightly shorter than most calendar months. This results in the possibility of two full moons in one month, an event that typically occurs every two to three years. Only about 25% of full moons are supermoons, and about 3% are blue moons. The combination of the two is exceptional, as such events occur on average about every 10 years. The next super blue moons are expected in January and March 2037. In rare cases, tiny particles in the air, such as smoke or dust, can scatter red wavelengths of light, making the moon appear blue, NASA says.
