5 things you need to know about the blue moon full moon lighting up our skies
- A blue moon isn’t actually blue—the name refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month, making this rare event a must-watch for stargazers who love celestial phenomena.
- While the moon may not turn blue in color, the blue moon full moon appears slightly larger and brighter in the sky than an average full moon, due to its proximity to Earth in its elliptical orbit.
- This year’s blue moon full moon is set to peak at 9:35 PM EST on Thursday, so set your alarms and step outside just after sunset for the best view without any special equipment.
- Expect tides to be higher than usual during this blue moon full moon, as the moon’s gravitational pull is stronger, potentially causing minor coastal flooding in some areas.
- Don't mistake this for a supermoon every time—while this blue moon full moon is close, the term "super blue moon" only happens when both events align, a rarer occurrence that won't return until 2037.