August seems to be a lunar favorite one of the rarest phenomena is set to occur by the end of this month. This month, for the second time the world will witness another lunar event, this time the rise of the blue moon. Marking the start and the nearing end of the month, the blue moon rose on August 1 this year and is set to rise again after sunset this coming Wednesday, August 30. This rare phenomenon occurs when the moon is full and its orbit is closest to Earth.
However, the blue moon is not actually blue in color. The term actually signifies a second full moon in a calendar month. This Wednesday, the blue moon is set to appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon, and thus is also called the ‘super moon’. The super blue moon will reach its peak at 9:36 p.m. EDT.
On average, super moons are bigger and about 16 percent brighter than an average moon, similar to the size difference between a quarter and a nickel, NASA had said.
Also, the super blue moon set to rise this Wednesday will be this year's only blue moon, which will beautifully neighbor Saturn in the night sky. This time, Saturn will be hanging out to the top right of the moon as it rises in the east. It will also be easy to spot the planet with the naked eye and appear as a bright non-flickering light in the sky.
While there may be super and blue moons happening at different intervals, both phenomena happening together is surely a rare feat. Blue moons are set to happen about every 2-3 years, while super blue moons every eight years on an average. The last blue supermoon occurred on the last day of January 2018, and the next one will happen on January 31, 2037.
Those who miss out on the super blue moon this time will have quite a wait before the next one. According to NASA, around 25 per cent of full moons are supermoons, but only 3 percent of full moons are blue moons. The next blue moon after the one on Wednesday will be only in May 2026.