The captivating lunar event set to illuminate the night sky on Wednesday and Thursday downunder. This exceptional occurrence, the grandest and brightest full moon of the year, marks a unique combination of a supermoon and a blue moon within a single calendar month.
Rare phenomenon
While a blue moon emerges every two to three years, the convergence of a blue moon with a supermoon is an even rarer phenomenon. The last instance of a blue supermoon was recorded in 2009. Enthusiasts will have to wait until 2032 for the next occurrence. A supermoon transpires when a full moon coincides with its closest point to Earth in its orbital path, rendering it visibly larger and more radiant than the norm.
Stardome astronomer Rob Davison elaborated, noting that supermoons appear approximately 8% larger and a striking 16% brighter than a typical full moon. He also highlighted the delightfully unique nature of a blue supermoon, a phenomenon resulting from a distinctive calendar quirk, where two of these luminous, larger moons grace our skies in a single month.
The moon’s orbit exhibits a slight elongation, causing its proximity to Earth to fluctuate between about 364,000km and 404,000km. Although subtle variations might bring it marginally closer or farther, only a mere two to three full moons each year qualify as supermoons. In the current month, the first supermoon occurred on the night of August 1.
However, the crescendo of August arrives with the year’s most prominent and radiant celestial show. This end-of-month supermoon will shine with unparalleled brilliance, as it nestles over 27,000km closer to Earth than its customary distance of 384,000km.
It’s a bird! 🦅 It’s a plane! ✈️ It’s a… supermoon! 🌕 Don’t forget to check out the “super blue moon” on Aug. 31. It is called a super blue moon because it is a supermoon and the second full moon in a single calendar month. Learn more: https://t.co/cA0Y9UQS88 pic.twitter.com/RDOcsB6fIm
— NASA Space Place (@NASAspaceplace) August 28, 2023
Where to see the blue supermoon?
As night falls on Thursday, the super blue moon will ascend to the east while the sun sets in the west, gracing the sky throughout the night. The breathtaking lunar spectacle will be visible across the country, provided that weather conditions are clear.
According to MetService NZ meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon, moon-watching prospects for Thursday night appear more favourable than those for the following evening. While some cloud cover and isolated showers are expected north of Auckland, Auckland itself is expected to boast relatively clear skies. Central parts of the North Island may experience more clouds, while coastal areas are poised for clearer skies.
In the South Island, clouds may prevail along the West Coast and around Nelson, with more promising lunar views anticipated in the eastern regions. As New Zealand prepares to witness this rare lunar convergence, the celestial marvel serves as a poignant reminder of the awe-inspiring wonders that the universe has to offer.
Meanwhile in Australia, the moon rise is starting late Wednesday afternoon. It’s recommended looking southeast after sunset for a good view.
Professor Richard De Grijs from Macquarie University said Wednesday would be most “ideal”.
“Look up at dusk, as the moon is rising. The optical illusion of a supermoon is most impressive when the Moon is near the horizon, when optical distortions owing to the Earth’s atmosphere make it look even bigger. While Wednesday night might be ideal, Thursday night would still be quite impressive.”
