A once in a blue moon opportunity

Lovers of the night sky and all things astronomical are in for a treat this week as Wednesday marks the second supermoon in one month – a rarity that won’t occur again until 2037.

The blue supermoon is the third consecutive supermoon, and the last for the year.

While the moon will not appear blue in colour, it will be the brightest moon this year.

The term ‘blue moon’ is used for the second full moon in one month.

According to solarsystem.nasa.gov, Saturn, just a few days from its closest and brightest, will appear near the moon, 5 degrees to the upper right shortly after twilight fades.

The moon will appear full for three days, from Tuesday night to Friday morning.

While various publications differ on which moons qualify as supermoons, all agree that both August’s full moons are indeed supermoons.

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