South Africans are in for a visual treat as the super blue moon graces the skies on Monday night, August 19.
Story Summary:
- A rare super blue moon will light up the night sky on Monday.
- The next chance to see this celestial event will be in January and March 2037.
- The moon will appear larger and brighter than usual, offering a stunning visual experience.
Super blue moon: How to view it in South Africa
This rare celestial event combines a supermoon and a blue moon, making it a must-see spectacle that won’t occur again for 13 years.
Super blue moon watch times in South Africa and other parts of the world:
- In South Africa, the best time to view the super blue moon will be around 20:00 when the moon is closest to the horizon.
- Across the globe, viewers in New York can catch the moonrise at around 19:45 EDT, while in London, it will be visible from approximately 20:15 BST.
- Live streams will be available for those who want to watch the event unfold from different locations around the world.
To fully enjoy the super blue moon, it is recommended to find a spot with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the horizon.
For those in South Africa, the moon will be named the “Peace Moon,” a nod to the country’s astronomical heritage.
Key facts about the super blue moon
The super blue moon is not just an ordinary full moon. It’s a combination of two unique lunar phenomena that make it a rare and spectacular event.
What is the super blue moon?
A Super Blue Moon occurs when a supermoon and a blue moon happen at the same time.
A supermoon appears when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth, making it look about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.
The “blue” part of the name doesn’t refer to the moon’s colour but to the fact that it is the third full moon in a season that unusually has four full moons instead of the typical three.
Why is it important?
Super blue moons are rare events that capture the imagination of skywatchers and astronomers alike.
NASA notes that while blue moons occur every two to three years, the combination with a supermoon is even less common, happening only once every decade on average.
This rarity makes it an event that many look forward to, as the next super blue moon won’t be seen until 2037.
When is the next one?
After this Monday’s event, the next super blue moon will not occur until January and March of 2037.
Given its infrequency, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
