A rare astronomical event featuring a super blue moon will be visible tonight, combining a supermoon and a blue moon. The supermoon appears larger and brighter due to its closer orbit to Earth, while the blue moon, the third full moon in a season, is unusual but not actually blue in color. This phenomenon will peak just before 11:30 AM today and remain visible through Wednesday morning. The next occurrence is expected in January and March of 2037.
Super Blue Moon
- Definition and Timing:
- The super blue moon is a rare astronomical event combining both a supermoon and a blue moon.
- It is already visible but will be most prominent in the night sky tonight.
"We've kind of already been able to see it. You can see it right now, but it's going to really appear like really, really appear in the night sky tonight."
- The super blue moon is currently visible but will reach its peak visibility tonight.
- The event consists of both a supermoon, which is when the moon is closest to Earth, and a blue moon, which is the second full moon in a calendar month.
Blue Moon and Supermoon Phenomenon
- Definition and Occurrence: A Blue Moon is a rare event that happens when there are two full moons in a single calendar month. A Supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky.
- Significance of Alignment: The alignment of a Blue Moon and a Supermoon is an exceptionally rare event where both phenomena coincide, creating a unique and visually striking lunar event.
"A Blue Moon is a rare event that happens when there are two full moons in a single calendar month."
- Explains the definition and rarity of a Blue Moon.
"A Supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky."
- Defines a Supermoon and its visual impact due to the moon's proximity to Earth.
"The alignment of a Blue Moon and a Supermoon is an exceptionally rare event where both phenomena coincide, creating a unique and visually striking lunar event."
- Highlights the rarity and visual significance of the simultaneous occurrence of a Blue Moon and a Supermoon.
Blue Moon Explanation
- A "Blue Moon" is not actually blue in color.
- It refers to the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, which is an unusual occurrence.
- The Blue Moon will appear full through Wednesday morning.
- NASA indicates the peak of the Blue Moon will be on a specific date.
"A Blue Moon just refers to the fact that it's the third full moon of the season which is unusual."
- This quote explains the definition of a Blue Moon, emphasizing that it is a rare event where a season has four full moons instead of the usual three.
"It won't actually be a different color."
- This quote clarifies that despite the name, the moon will not change color and will appear as a regular full moon.
"It will appear full through Wednesday morning."
- This quote provides the timeframe during which the Blue Moon will be visible as a full moon.
"NASA says the peak of the moon will..."
- This quote indicates that NASA provides specific information regarding the peak visibility of the Blue Moon.
Seasonal Blue Moon
- The next seasonal blue moon is expected in January and March of 2037.
- This event is notable and infrequent, making it a significant topic of interest for astronomy enthusiasts.
- The discussion includes a reference to a video taken in the morning related to the blue moon.
"The next seasonal blue moon is expected in January and March of 2037."
- This quote indicates the specific future dates when the next blue moon will occur, highlighting its rarity and importance.
"That video by the way taken this morning."
- This quote refers to a video related to the blue moon, emphasizing the immediacy and relevance of the footage in the discussion.
Cultural References to Eclipses
- The podcast mentions a tradition of playing the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" during an eclipse.
- This cultural reference adds a layer of familiarity and tradition to the discussion of astronomical events.
"We always play 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' when there's an eclipse."
- This quote illustrates a cultural practice associated with eclipses, showing how music and traditions are intertwined with astronomical phenomena.