Once in a super blue moon: August’s lunar spectacle explained

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super blue moon august 2024
A super blue moon rises above the Mississippi River and the Crescent City Connection Bridge in New Orleans. Image credit: NASA/Michael Democker

Alright, space cadets and lunar lovers, it’s time to crane those necks skyward because tonight’s full moon is putting on a show that’s rarer than a politician telling the truth.

It’s a super blue moon – a rarity you can’t miss!


Editor’s note: If you capture a stunning photo or video of the moon and want to share it with TechNation for a possible story, send images and comments on the view and your (general) location, as well as use permissions to daniel@technation.news.


Let’s break down this cosmic cocktail, shall we?

Super blue moon: What’s the fuss about?

We’ve got a supermoon, which is when the moon is at its closest approach to Earth, making it look bigger and brighter than your average full moon.

Then we’ve got a blue moon, which isn’t actually blue (sorry to burst your bubble), but refers to the third full moon in a season with four full moons.

Put them together, and you’ve got a super blue moon.

It’s like the lunar equivalent of a royal flush – rare, impressive, and definitely worth staying up for.

When to watch the super blue moon

For the best view, try to catch it as it rises or sets. That’s when you might experience the “moon illusion” – a trick of perception that makes the moon look absolutely massive when it’s near the horizon.

It’s not actually bigger, but try telling that to your Instagram followers.

According to NASA, this lunar extravaganza will reach peak fullness at 2:26 PM EDT on Monday, August 19. Lucky for us, that’s 20:26 South African Standard Time (SAST).

But don’t worry if you’re not available to look up at that specific moment. The moon will look pretty darn full for about three days surrounding perigee-syzygy of the full moon.

(That’s just a fancy word for when the moon reaches its peak fullness.)

A Blue moon that’s not blue?

It’s not blue. Sorry to disappoint, but unless you’ve got some fancy photo filters, this moon won’t be changing colors.

The term “blue moon” has nothing to do with hue and everything to do with timing.

There are actually two definitions of a blue moon:

  1. The third full moon in a season with four full moons (that’s what we’re getting tonight!)
  2. The second full moon in a calendar month

Tonight’s moon fits the first definition.

Why should you care about a super moon? Even a blue one?

Look, I get it. In a world where we’ve got AI writing our essays and rockets landing themselves, a slightly bigger moon might not seem all that exciting.

But here’s the thing: this is a cosmic coincidence that doesn’t happen often.

You’ll have to wait until January 2037 for the next super blue moon. A whole 13 years and 5 months.

So tonight, take a moment to step outside, look up, and appreciate the vastness of the universe. It might just make your earthly problems seem a little smaller.

How to best experience the super blue moon

Want to make the most of this lunar spectacle?

Here are some tips:

  1. Find a dark spot: Light pollution is the enemy of stargazing. The darker your surroundings, the better the moon will look.
  2. Bring binoculars: While you can certainly enjoy the moon with the naked eye, a pair of binoculars will let you see some of the lunar features in more detail.
  3. Take photos: Smartphones these days can capture some pretty decent moon shots. Just make sure to steady your hand (or use a tripod if you’ve got one).
  4. Make it an event: Gather some friends, bring some snacks, and have a moongazing party. Everything’s better with company and a braai. Even astronomy.

Tonight’s super blue moon is the universe’s way of putting on a show, and we’ve all got front-row seats.

Don’t miss it – the next one’s a long way off, and who knows what the world will look like by then. Maybe we’ll all be watching it from our Martian colonies.

Cheryl Kahla has dedicated her career to exploring the intersections of tech and society. With contributions to numerous international outlets, she provides insights into emerging tech trends, AI, science, and the impact of digital innovations. Outside of writing, Cheryl indulges in gaming, martial arts, and debating the merits of AI with her cat, Gotham. He’s indifferent to the subject.

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