Scientists at NASA are urging everyone to gaze at the night sky in the upcoming days as August will showcase a spectacular full moon, which will be both a supermoon and a blue moon.
Referred to as the sturgeon moon or dog moon, NASA states that the moon will be within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, creating what is known as a “supermoon” (a term coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, according to NASA).
It will also qualify as a blue moon, being the second full moon of the month.
Astronomers and sky gazers predict that this full moon will be visible on Monday afternoon, August 19, starting at 2:26 p.m. in the eastern standard time zone, depending on weather conditions and location.
Although not extremely rare, this event is generating excitement for many and holds special significance for some.
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Last year, Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi garnered thousands of viewers with his live stream of the super moon, coinciding with the Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan, celebrating sibling bonds.
The astronomer’s website will stream the celestial event once again on Monday, marking the third full moon of four this season streamed on the website.
Although it won’t appear blue, the moon has been termed a blue moon since 1528. The origin of this name remains unclear.
NASA notes that on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, August 20 to 21, the planet Saturn will be in close proximity to the full moon, positioned above the eastern horizon. By Wednesday, August 21, at 1:02 a.m. ET, the moon will reach its closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as perigee.
