The most significant and brightest lunar event of the year will grace the skies on Wednesday and Thursday, observable from across the globe.
This occurrence marks a unique opportunity to witness what is referred to as a blue supermoon – the previous one having been seen in 2009.
A blue Moon arises due to the specific arrangement of days within a year, leading to 13 full Moons instead of the customary 12.
For those under clear skies, the optimal time to witness this spectacle in the UK will be in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Referred to as a supermoon, this blue Moon will be characterized by its larger and more luminous appearance. This is attributed to the Moon’s proximity to its closest point in orbit around Earth.
However, those anticipating a blue-hued Moon will be met with disappointment. The name “blue Moon” has no connection to color, but rather derives from its divergence from the regular sequence of named Moons.
Various cultures worldwide, including Native American societies, ascribe names to full Moons.
Typically occurring monthly, a full Moon completes its phases over a span of 29.5 days, resulting in 354 days for 12 cycles.
This period falls short of the 365/366 days in a calendar year, thereby leading to the sighting of a 13th full Moon approximately every two and a half years.
The origin of the saying “once in a blue Moon” is believed to be linked to this rarity.
The last blue Moon was observed in August 2021, and the upcoming occurrence is anticipated in 2026.
However, the conjunction of a blue Moon and a supermoon is a more infrequent phenomenon. We’ll need to wait until 2037 to witness this conjunction once again.
No specialized equipment such as a telescope is required to witness this phenomenon – gazing at the southern sky is sufficient.
In the UK, the peak moment will be at 02:35 on Thursday. Moreover, if the weather remains clear, the Moon’s rise will be a remarkable sight as it ascends above the horizon shortly after sunset.
