Monday night will bring a rare celestial event to the skies over the U.S. – a full moon that can be called both a supermoon and a blue moon at the same time. This occurrence, dubbed a “super blue moon,” happens when the cycles of blue moons and supermoons align on the calendar. A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual, causing it to appear larger and brighter. A blue moon, on the other hand, is a rare event that can be either a seasonal or monthly phenomenon. This Monday’s blue moon will be of the seasonal variety, happening when there are four full moons in a single season, with the third one being considered a blue moon. The monthly blue moon refers to the second full moon in a calendar month. This combination of a supermoon and blue moon is not likely to happen again for several years. The next super blue moon is expected to occur in January 2037, although it depends on how one defines a supermoon and a blue moon. In general, blue moons happen once every two to three years, and the time between super blue moons averages around 10 years. Regardless of definitions, Monday night’s celestial event is sure to be a rare and stunning sight in the night sky.
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