Rare blue supermoon on Monday
There will be a rare blue supermoon on Monday.
Fox – 5 Atlanta
Monday’s full moon may be one of the biggest and brightest.
This is because the moon is full and at its closest distance from the Earth – a so-called supermoon. It also coincides with a blue moon. Here’s what that means and what to look for in the sky.
What is a supermoon?
The moon has an oval orbit, which means it occasionally comes close to Earth. When the moon is at its closest point and appears full, it is called a supermoon, says Jerry Clifford, a scientist and now professor emeritus of physics at CSU Channel Islands.
Because the moon is closer to Earth, it can appear larger and brighter in the sky.
What is a blue moon?
Normally, there are three full moons in each of the four astronomical seasons. But sometimes the moon’s orbit is aligned so that there are four full moons in one season, says Vanessa Alarcon, an astronomical observer at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
When that happens, the third full moon of the season is called a blue moon, Alarcon said.
How will the supermoon look different?
The moon may appear larger and brighter than normal. But for most people who look up at the sky, it won’t make much of a difference, experts say. Still, it can be impressive.
Where and when is the best time to observe the supermoon?
Location doesn’t matter much. That’s because the full moon is so bright, Clifford said. As long as the sky is clear, you don’t need a special location to see the supermoon.
“It’s really something you can see everywhere,” Alarcon said.
The moon is usually most conspicuous when it rises, she said, but even when it crosses the meridian, it appears even larger.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at [email protected] or 805-437-0260.
