Rare Blue Moon to Rise on Wednesday Night August 30th

Published by Jean Jarvaise

August 29, 2023 3:58 am

Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere are in for a treat on Wednesday night, August 30, when a rare blue moon rises in the sky.

A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. This happens about every 2.7 years, but it's even rarer for a blue moon to also be a supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.

The last time a blue moon coincided with a supermoon was in July 2015. The next time it will happen is in May 2026.

The blue moon on Wednesday night will also be the last full moon of summer. It will reach its peak fullness at 8:36 p.m. EDT.

While the moon will not actually appear blue, it will be slightly larger and brighter than a regular full moon. This is because the moon's orbit is elliptical, and it is slightly closer to Earth when it is full at perigee.

In addition to being a blue moon and a supermoon, the moon on Wednesday night will also be near Saturn. The two celestial bodies will be separated by just 1 degree in the sky. This will make Saturn appear brighter and larger than usual.

To see the blue moon, find a clear spot away from city lights and look up at the sky. The moon will rise in the east at sunset and will be visible all night long.

Here are some other interesting facts about blue moons:

• The term "blue moon" is actually a misnomer. The moon does not actually turn blue. The name comes from an old English saying that "once in a blue moon" means something that happens very rarely.

• The first recorded use of the term "blue moon" to refer to the second full moon in a month was in 1946.

• There is also a term for a third full moon in a season. This is called a "black moon." However, black moons are much rarer than blue moons. The last black moon occurred in March 2018.

So if you're looking for a celestial treat this Wednesday night, be sure to look up at the sky and enjoy the rare blue moon.