Rakshabandhan this year brings with it a celestial spectacle that is captivating skywatchers worldwide—the Super Blue Moon. This extraordinary event promises to be the most dazzling lunar display of the year.
You could have witnessed this awe-inspiring celestial show from 9:30 pm to 3:30 am IST last night, with the peak brilliance anticipated at approximately 6:07 am IST on Thursday, August 31.
For those curious about this celestial phenomenon, here’s a breakdown:
The Supermoon: The Supermoon is a fascinating occurrence resulting from the intricate cosmic dance between Earth and its lunar companion. When the moon follows an elliptical path around our planet, it approaches its nearest point to us, known as ‘Perigee.’ When a full moon coincides with this proximity, we witness the breathtaking phenomenon known as a Supermoon.
The Blue Moon: A Blue Moon occurs when a full moon graces our skies twice within a single month. This rarity unfolds every two to three years when a full moon appears at the start of the month, only to reappear at the month’s end. When two full moons grace a single month, it’s termed a Blue Moon. This occurrence can further be categorized as either monthly or seasonal.
The Super Blue Moon: The Super Blue Moon emerges when a full moon makes a double appearance in a single month, aligning with its proximity to Earth’s closest point, Perigee. This perfect convergence results in the creation of the Super Blue Moon.
The August Supermoon of 2023 is particularly special. It will be a mere 222,043 miles from Earth, approximately 17,000 miles closer than average. As a result, it will appear approximately 14% larger and shine about 30% brighter than the typical full moon.
Enjoy this once-in-a-blue-moon experience!