Blue Supermoon Glows Red Over UK
On Sunday night, skywatchers across the UK had a chance to witness a rare celestial event: a full blue supermoon.
What is a blue moon?
The term "blue moon" is a bit of a misnomer, as the moon doesn't actually turn blue. A blue moon is most commonly defined as when we get 13 full moons in a year instead of the usual 12. This is a result of the lunar cycle being 29.5 days, which means it can end up out of sync with the calendar month, resulting in two full moons in the same month.
In this case, the blue moon is defined as the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, rather than the usual three. This blue moon also happens to be a supermoon, which occurs when the full moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.
What made this particular supermoon even more dramatic was its unexpected red hue on Sunday night. The reddish tint was caused by smoke from North American wildfires that had drifted across the Atlantic, lingering in the atmosphere above the UK. The smoke particles scattered the light in such a way that the moon took on a reddish glow, while also creating hazy skies and a stunning sunset that evening.
Can I still see the supermoon?
The full blue supermoon officially reached its peak at 19:25 BST on Monday, though many people had already enjoyed impressive views over the weekend. Unfortunately, Monday night's weather forecast was less favourable, with cloud cover and rain expected to obscure the view for many. However, those with clearer skies had the best chance of seeing the supermoon around 20:50 BST when it began to rise in the eastern sky.
This supermoon is the first of four that will occur over the next few months, with the next one expected on the 18th September. Interestingly, September's supermoon will also coincide with a partial lunar eclipse, offering another exciting opportunity for stargazers.
So, while the phrase "once in a blue moon" might suggest something extremely rare, those keeping an eye on the skies have several more opportunities to enjoy similar wonders in the near future.
