Blue Moon 2023

    Prepare to witness a celestial spectacle of unparalleled magnificence. The heavens are set to grace us with a super Blue Moon on the 30th and 31st of August, a cosmic event that promises to be truly remarkable. The term "Supermoon" describes a full moon that, during its orbit, comes exceptionally close to Earth, resulting in an impressive sight.

    The moon does not follow a perfectly circular path; instead, it traces an elliptical path. Consequently, there are times when it orbits closer to our planet, known as perigee, and others when it moves further away, known as apogee. A Super moon occurs when a full moon coincides with its perigee, making it appear about 14 percent larger and a staggering 30 percent brighter.

Blue moon doesn't actually turn blue. Rather, it means a rare lunar event. Traditionally, a blue moon is defined as the second full moon in a single calendar month. Each month typically hosts just one full moon, but due to the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle, there is the occasional chance for a second full moon to arise within the same month.This extraordinary event occurs approximately once every 2.7 years.  The result is a moon that is not only bigger and brighter, but also carries the prestigious title of a blue moon.

The long-awaited super Blue Moon of 2023 will grace our skies on August 30. At 9:35 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or 1:35 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on August 31) will reach its full phase. This moment marks the closest approach of the Moon to Earth,approximately 357,000 kilometers (about 220,000 miles) away, 27,000 kilometers (about 17,000 miles) closer to our planet than the average lunar distance. The Super moon earns its "blue" distinction by being the second full moon of August 2023.   

As you gaze at the radiant spectacle on the night of August 30, you will notice a bright point of light very close to the moon. This is not a flickering star, but the majestic planet Saturn. August 30 has an additional gift, as it marks the day of the moon and the conjunction of Saturn in the constellation Aquarius. During this celestial encounter, these two celestial bodies will appear a few degrees apart in the night sky.

What takes this celestial event to even greater heights is that Saturn will approach its opposition around the time of the super blue moon. In astronomical terms, "opposition" denotes the position of a celestial body when it is located directly in front of the Sun in the sky as viewed from Earth. During this alignment, the Earth is positioned between the celestial body in question and the Sun. This phenomenon is especially significant for outer planets like Saturn, since it means their closest approach to Earth during the year.Saturn, at opposition, is an impressive sight. It rises in the east when the sun sets in the west and sets in the west when the sun rises in the east. This unique position ensures that the planet remains visible throughout the night. Saturn's proximity to Earth during this period increases its brightness as it reflects sunlight directly back at us.Saturn's proximity to Earth during this period increases its brightness as it reflects sunlight directly back at us. Also, if Saturn's rings are favorably tilted, they can amplify their brightness even more, providing an exquisite view through telescopes. Hobbyist and enthusiast astronomers eagerly await this occasion as it offers unparalleled clarity and detail in viewing the rings of Saturn and possibly some of its moons.

For Astro photographers, the opposition of Saturn represents an incomparable opportunity. The greater luminosity and proximity of the planet allow for impressive and detailed photographs. To help locate Saturn and other celestial wonders in the night sky, you can use space apps designed for this purpose.

Jupiter, another celestial jewel, emerges a few hours after Saturn, grabbing attention as the brightest point of light in the night sky. On the nights of August 30 and 31, it will be remarkably distant from the super blue moon, making it easily distinguishable from Saturn.

So get ready for an unforgettable night contemplating the sky on August 30 and 31. Marvel at the super Blue Moon, bask in the splendor of Saturn's rings, and perhaps glimpse Jupiter in its radiant glory.