How and when to see the rare ‘Super Blue Moon’ as it rises tonight
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As the saying goes, if something happens “once in a blue moon,” it’s pretty rare.
And that’s exactly what stargazers will experience tonight, as a lunar spectacle that will not be seen again for 14 years lights up skies around the world.
In astronomical terms, so-called “blue moons” are actually quite common; they usually occur every two or three years.
But “super blue moons,” which will appear in the sky tonight, certainly aren’t.
Tonight will be the first in half a decade and the next one won’t come out until 2037.
Rare spectacle: A super blue moon will light up skies around the world tonight. The rare phenomenon will not occur again for the next fourteen years
Misleading: Despite its name, the moon won’t actually look blue. The phenomenon gets its name from the fact that it is the second supermoon to appear in the same month
What is a ‘super blue moon’?
For starters, it’s not really blue.
The phenomenon gets its name from the fact that it is the second supermoon to appear in the same month. The first lit up the night sky on August 1.
Blue moons are more common when there are two full moons in the same month.
This happens because the phases of the moon take 29.5 days, which makes a total of 354 days for 12 full cycles.
Therefore, a 13th full moon is seen about every two and a half years, which is called the blue moon.
Supermoons are different from full moons and occur when our lunar satellite is closest to Earth.
They can appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than when the moon is further away from us.
This super blue moon will be even closer to Earth than the “Sturgeon super moon” in early August, making it appear larger in the sky because it’s only 225,000 miles away.
This compares to a distance of about 252,088 miles when the moon is at its farthest point from our planet.
Despite being called a super blue moon, the lunar spectacle is still the same color as all the others, except in two rare cases.
First, during a lunar eclipse, the moon can turn blood red, while in very rare circumstances you can even see it bluish.
This would only happen if you looked at the moon through a haze of dust particles in our atmosphere, perhaps from a recent volcanic eruption.
How can I see it?
To get a good view of the super blue moon, astronomers recommend avoiding towns and cities because of the light pollution.
Instead, try to find an area with clear skies if you want an unobstructed view.
Clear skies: Britain should be mostly clear of cloud by 02:35 BST, although the countries of south west England and large parts of Wales could struggle, according to the latest forecast
Good examples are the Snowdonia National Park in South Wales, Exmoor National Park in Devon and South Downs National Park in Sussex and Hampshire.
Turning off the lights in your home can also improve visibility, although your chances depend largely on the weather.
Britain should be mostly clear of cloud during the peak at 02:35 BST, although those in south west England and large parts of Wales could struggle.
Being at a higher altitude also gives you a clear view of the spectacle, as you are at a low altitude above the dense air that contains haze, fog and smoke that mask your view of the sky.
So even if you’re in an urban area like London, you can get a better view by heading to Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath.
Professor Don Pollacco of the University of Warwick said: ‘To see the full moon you have to look east after sunset. If you have a clear horizon, it should be clear.
A supermoon forms when a full moon nearly coincides with its perigee — the point in the moon’s orbit at which it is closest to Earth
“The moon is so bright that we can see it when it’s not particularly dark or even when the weather isn’t particularly bright.
“It will be visible all night and set in the West about sunrise.”
When is the best time to watch?
In Britain, the super blue moon peaks at around 02:35 BST on Thursday, so you’ll need to set your alarm if you want the best view.
US observers, meanwhile, will get the best view today (Wednesday) at 9:36 PM ET, while for European skywatchers, the phenomenon will peak at 1:35 AM WET, 3:35 AM CEST, and 4:35 AM EEST tomorrow, respectively.
What’s even better is that, unlike shooting stars or comets, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich says everyone should be able to see the “unmistakable white orb in the sky.”
Binoculars or a telescope give you an even more detailed view of the lunar surface, while photographers are also eager to capture the spectacle.
Astronomers say visibility on either side of the top of the super blue moon should be good for about a day, so if you miss it tomorrow you might get a good look at it on Friday.
Early riser warning: In Britain, the super blue moon peaks at around 02:35 BST on Thursday, so you’ll need to set your alarm if you want the best view
Special: the last time there were two super moons in one month was in January 2018
Meanwhile, the Virtual Telescope Project will host a webcast as the supermoon rises over Rome in Italy.
“This will be the biggest of the year,” he said. “Our satellite will be at minimum distance from Earth about 10 hours earlier.
“The resulting full moon will be the closest and brightest of the year.”
What if I miss it?
The last time there were two supermoons in one month was in January 2018 – and according to NASA it won’t happen again until January 31, 2037, so you’ll have a long wait.
It won’t be that long until the next regular blue moon, though.
That will take place on May 31, 2026, followed by another on December 31, 2028.
The next supermoon will be on September 29 this year.