The blue supermoon is just around the corner.
On Monday, August 19, a rare cosmic event will dominate the skies when a supermoon and a seasonal blue moon occur simultaneously.
A supermoon occurs when the orbit of the full moon is closer to Earth, while a blue moon is the third of four full moons in a season.
The rare super blue moon occurs about every 10 years, according to NASA. However, it can last up to 20 years. If it is a supermoon, it can look up to 14% larger when it is farthest from Earth. Although this is not among the largest supermoons, according to the agency, it will still be impressive.
Also known as the Sturgeon Moon, this supermoon is the first of four supermoons in 2024. More are expected in September, October and November.
How to see the blue supermoon on August 19th?
The supermoon will reach its peak on August 19, 2024, at 2:26 p.m. ET. According to NASA, it will appear full for three days, from Sunday morning through the morning of Wednesday, August 21.
Will the blue supermoon look blue?
No, the super blue moon will not be exactly the color blue. A blue moon is a term used to describe “two full moons in one month, or the third full moon in a season with four full moons,” according to NASA.
In rare cases, they note that “tiny particles in the air – usually smoke or dust – can scatter red wavelengths of light, making the moon appear blue.”
When will the next blue supermoon occur?
According to Space.com, the next seasonal blue supermoon will occur on January 31, 2037 at 10:03 a.m. EST.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com.
