The Alamo City is in for a celestial treat this week as it prepares for the arrival of the rare blue supermoon. This astronomical phenomenon which is set to occur between August 19 and August 22, promises to be a remarkable sight for skywatchers in and around the city.
If you are hoping to catch the blue supermoon, mark these times on your calendar:
Commonly referred to as a supermoon, this takes place when a full lunar phase coincides with its closest swing around Earth. This conjunction is known to occur about three or four times annually. Although the supermoon is not actually larger, it tends to appear so due to its closer proximity to Earth.
For the untrained eye however, discerning between a supermoon and a regular full moon can be near impossible. “Unless you have looked at a lot of full moons or compare them in images, it is hard to notice the difference,” Petro said in an email.
There will be four supermoons this year – each distinguished by how far away they are from Earth. The ‘blue supermoon’ of August will be at a distance of approximately 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. The subsequent one will be nearly 3,000 miles (4,484 kilometers) closer on the night of September 17.
Moreover, a partial lunar eclipse will also take place that night, offering viewers, especially in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe, a rare spectacle as the Earth’s shadow falls onto the moon.
Skywatchers, enthusiasts and scientists alike agree that it can sometimes be easier to detect the change in brightness – a supermoon can be 30% brighter than usual!
With the U.S. and other countries deepening their lunar explorative activities with landers and future astronaut missions, the allure of the moon only continues to be amplified. Petro, a scientist involved in the Artemis program, is thrilled by the renewed lunar interest, “It certainly makes it more fun to stare at,” he remarked.
Whether a seasoned skywatcher or simply looking for a unique way to spend your evenings, the blue supermoon is poised to be a dazzling event not to be missed. So, pencil it into your calendar, set your alarms, and prepare to partake in this rare astronomical phenomenon in the heart of San Antonio.
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