Moonlit Magic: Unveiling Mysteries of the Moon according to NASA.gov
Imagine a beautiful evening by the river, just as the sun sets and twilight takes over. Picture a glowing moon rising over the calm water, surrounded by trees and plants. This moon has a soft peach color and stands out against the gentle pinks and blues of the sky.
Now, let’s talk about something special happening on August 30-31, 2023. The moon will be putting on a show – it will be a full moon, a supermoon, and even a blue moon. People might even call it a super blue moon! Sounds interesting, right? But what’s the real story behind these names? Let’s find out.
Getting to Know the Supermoon:
Think of the moon as a dancer, moving around our planet in a special way. Sometimes, it gets closer to us, and other times, it’s a bit farther away. When the moon is both full and close to us, we call it a supermoon. This makes the moon look bigger and brighter than usual in the night sky.
Cracking the Code of the Blue Moon:
Now, a blue moon isn’t actually blue – it’s about timing! You know how we have months in our calendar? Well, the moon has its own month, and it’s a little shorter than ours. Sometimes, we get lucky and see two full moons in one of our months. That’s when we call it a blue moon. It’s a rare treat, happening every couple of years.
But Wait, Can the Moon Turn Blue?
Not really, but there’s a fun fact. Sometimes, things in the air, like smoke or dust, can make the moon look a bit blue. It doesn’t happen often, though.
So, Will the Moon Look Huge and Blue?
The truth is, the moon won’t look drastically bigger. When it’s closest to us, it appears about 14 percent larger, which is similar to the size difference between a quarter and a nickel. It might seem a bit brighter, though, because it’s nearer to us.
Do Supermoons and Blue Moons Always Happen Together?
Nope! A supermoon is when the moon is near us during its full phase, and that happens a few times each year. On the other hand, a blue moon, where we get two full moons in a single month, is much rarer. Only about 3 percent of full moons are blue moons.
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
Even though this moon won’t be blue and won’t look dramatically bigger, it’s still worth looking up for. The moon is always a beautiful sight to behold. If you’re curious, we have a Daily Moon Guide that can help you spot interesting things on the moon every day.
Enjoy the Moon’s Mystique!
