A supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it remarkably close to Earth, resulting in it appearing larger and brighter than its usual self. The term “supermoon” designates the full phase of the Moon when it is at perigee, its nearest point to Earth, with an average distance of 360,000 kilometers.
These supermoons, qualifying as such, only manifest during the closest three or four approaches each year.
When will the Blue Supermoon be visible?
The Blue Supermoon will grace the skies at 07:05 IST. During this time, the Moon will appear approximately 14 percent larger and shine 30 percent brighter compared to a Micro-moon.
According to Shilpi Gupta, Scientific Officer at the MP Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, the Moon will reach its closest proximity to Earth at 9:24 PM on Wednesday, and the full Moon phase will occur on Thursday.Also Read: Super Blue Moon 2023: Check date, time to watch super moon, blue Moon, full MoonWhich Indian cities will witness the Blue Supermoon?
This rare blue supermoon will be visible throughout India, with all cities in the country having the opportunity to witness this celestial phenomenon, contingent upon favorable weather conditions and clear skies.
The full phase of the supermoon will grace the night, with moonrise coinciding with sunset and lasting until the following sunrise.
Why is it termed a Blue Supermoon?
It’s crucial to note that the term “blue moon” doesn’t pertain to the moon’s color. Instead, it signifies the occurrence of a second full moon within a single month. This phenomenon is relatively infrequent, transpiring only approximately every two or three years.
A supermoon transpires when a full moon synchronizes with its perigee. However, a blue supermoon, which combines both these phenomena, is even rarer. The previous blue supermoon was witnessed in December 2009, and the next one won’t grace our skies until January 2037, as per NASA‘s calculations.
On rare occasions, the moon can indeed appear blue due to minuscule airborne particles, typically smoke or dust, which scatter away red wavelengths of light. A famous instance of this phenomenon occurred after the eruption of Krakatoa when ash plumes laden with particles approximately 1 micron wide scattered red light, creating the illusion of a blue moon.