Have you ever thought that Mercury in retrograde was an adventure? Well, brace yourself for the awe-inspiring supermoons that are about to take the cosmic stage. Supermoons are celestial marvels that bring unexpected thrills, as they symbolize moments of clarity, revelations, and opportunities to embrace the mysteries of the universe. This year is exceptional, with not one, not two, but four consecutive supermoons, including a rare blue supermoon.
Decoding the Supermoon Enigma
What exactly is a supermoon? Coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, the term refers to a full moon that orbits closer to Earth than usual—an occurrence known as perigee, as explained by NASA. During this moment, the moon appears approximately 14% larger and 30% brighter in the night sky.
Ordinarily positioned around 238,000 miles away, the moon’s distance from Earth varies due to perigee and apogee shifts. To qualify as a supermoon, two conditions must be met: the moon should be at its closest perigee during its orbit and in the full-moon phase, which happens every 29.5 days. These rare events happen a few times a year, as the moon’s orbit continuously adjusts alongside Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Unraveling the Rarity
While the concept of supermoons might seem exotic, they are relatively frequent occurrences. Approximately three to four supermoons grace the skies each year, spaced three to four months apart. Interestingly, not all supermoons are created equal. When a supermoon coincides with another lunar phenomenon like a blue moon, blood moon, or harvest moon, the energy of the celestial event intensifies, creating an electric and rare experience.
Blue moons, referring to the second full moon within a single calendar month, are themselves uncommon. Supermoons are even scarcer. A blue supermoon, however, stands as one of the rarest celestial wonders. Despite its name, the super blue moon won’t display a blue hue in the sky. The term “blue moon” dates back to the 16th century, describing something that seldom occurs.
Journeying Through the Supermoon Calendar of 2023
Prepare to witness a spectacular cosmic show in 2023, with four consecutive supermoons gracing our nights. The first appeared in July, followed by an early August occurrence, and two more are set to illuminate the skies in late August and September. The climax of this celestial parade will feature a rare blue supermoon at the end of August. Make sure to mark your calendar with these dates to catch these enchanting lunar displays.
Supermoon Schedule for 2023:
- July 3, 2023: Super Buck Moon in Capricorn (224,895 miles from Earth)
- Aug. 1, 2023: Super Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius (222,158 miles from Earth)
- Aug. 30, 2023: Super Blue Moon in Pisces (222,043 miles from Earth)
- Sept. 29, 2023: Super Harvest Moon in Aries (224,657 miles from Earth)
Get ready to be captivated by the celestial dance of supermoons and discover a whole new dimension of cosmic wonder that challenges your understanding of the universe.