NASA Confirms Rare Blue Moon Will Light Up Skies This Week—Here's The Science Behind The Stunning Event
Top 5 things you need to know about the blue moon phenomenon:
- A blue moon isn't actually blue. The term refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month, which happens roughly every 2.5 to 3 years. This rare timing is what makes it newsworthy, not a color change, though atmospheric dust or smoke can sometimes tint the moon a faint blue.
- This week's blue moon will peak on the night of August 30-31, appearing full and bright for about three days from start to end. It was selected as the focus of multiple live-stream events by observatories, including the Virtual Telescope Project, making it a global viewing opportunity.
- The moon will appear slightly larger and brighter than average, though the difference is subtle—only about 7% in apparent size and 15% in brightness compared to a typical full moon. Binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the view, especially of lunar craters and seas.
- The term blue moon originated from a 19th-century Maine farmer's almanac, which used it to label extra full moons in seasons. The modern "second in a calendar month" definition was popularized by a 1946 misinterpretation in Sky & Telescope magazine, but it's now the most common understanding.
- Skywatchers can expect a stunning conjunction with Saturn on the same night. The ringed planet will appear just a few degrees from the blue moon, visible with the naked eye as a bright star-like dot, offering a rare double celestial treat for early risers and evening observers alike.