Super Blue Moon: A Rare Lunar Spectacle to Light Up the Night Sky

Get ready to gaze skywards as August's super blue moon, a rare celestial pairing, reaches its peak on 19 August. This captivating lunar event follows hot on the heels of last week's peak of the Perseid meteor shower, making August a truly exciting month for stargazers.

The super blue moon, a combination of a supermoon and a blue moon, will be the first of its kind in 2024. The last super blue moon graced our skies in August 2023, and the next ones are not expected until January and March 2037.

Supermoons occur when the full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a point known as perigee. This proximity makes the moon appear larger and brighter than usual, reaching a peak of 14% larger and 30% brighter compared to when it's at its farthest point, known as apogee.

While the size difference may be subtle, supermoons are noticeably brighter than other full moons. They also significantly impact Earth, causing higher-than-normal tides due to their gravitational pull.

The term "blue moon" might mislead some, as it doesn't refer to the moon actually appearing blue. It simply designates the second full moon in a single calendar month, which occurs only about 3% of the time.

The super blue moon in August is also known as the "Sturgeon Moon," a name that originates from the Algonquin tribes of North America. They named the August full moon after the large sturgeon fish that were more easily caught during this season.

This lunar spectacle can be enjoyed with the naked eye and doesn't require any special equipment or location. The moon will rise higher in the sky as the night progresses, reaching its peak just before sunrise. If you find yourself under clear skies, you'll be treated to a brilliant display of our celestial neighbour.

While the super blue moon is the main event, look out for the planets Jupiter and Mars, which were in conjunction last week, appearing close together in the sky. They're likely to remain close during the supermoon's peak.

The remaining supermoons of 2024 will grace us with their presence on 18 September, 17 October, and 15 November. The September supermoon will also coincide with a partial lunar eclipse, while the October supermoon will be the largest and brightest of the year, as the moon will be about 100 kilometers closer to Earth.

So mark your calendars and prepare to be captivated by the celestial wonders of August's super blue moon. This is a rare opportunity to witness a truly unique lunar event and to appreciate the wonders of the cosmos.