SPA Observes Rare Blue Supermoon Lighting up Monday Night Sky

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) witnessed the rare blue supermoon lighting up the sky on Monday, August 19. It appeared larger and brighter as its orbit brought it closer to Earth than usual.

 The Director of the Jeddah Astronomy Society (JAS), Majed Abu Zahra elaborated that the supermoon is a rare phenomenon that occurs once every few years.

 Tonight's phenomenon, known also as the seasonal blue moon, marks the third of four full moons within this season, falling between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox.

 Abu Zahra explained that the blue moon is special because there are usually three full moons in each season, but in some seasons, there can be four. This additional moon is called the seasonal blue moon and occurs only once, about every two and a half years.

 Contrary to its name, he said the blue moon does not exhibit a blue hue but rather resembles the typical full moons observed each month.

 The full moon of August 19, 2024, is notably distinctive as it is both a supermoon and a blue moon. A supermoon denotes a moment when the moon is at or near its closest proximity to Earth (perigee) while being full, whereas the blue moon pertains to the extra moon present within the season.

 Abu Zahra clarified that a supermoon occurs when the distance between the moon and Earth's centres falls below 362,146 kilometres, earning the scientific label of the perigee moon.

 A full moon is ideal for observing the radiant features on the moon's surface. The rest of the terrain appears flat, and its shadows are short due to the sun fully illuminating the moon's face.