- A super blue moon is slated to rise this week
- It will be the third-largest moon that has appeared this year
- The next one won't occur for 14 years, experts say
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – An unsettled weather pattern could bring heavy rain to the Lehigh Valley through midweek, but sky watchers still are crossing their fingers.
That’s because a big blue moon event is slated for Aug. 30-31.
Beginning Wednesday night, a super blue moon will rise and will be the third-largest moon to date this year, leaving one more supermoon in 2023.
This week’s moon will be known as a super blue moon because it will be the second full moon in a calendar month and will be even closer to Earth than the first full moon.
If you miss it, the next one won’t happen until Jan. 31, 2037, a NASA ambassador recently told the Washington Post.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is a supermoon?
On average, supermoons are said to be about 16% brighter than an average moon — and also appear larger than the average full moon. They occur when the moon's orbit is closest to Earth at the same time the moon is full.
Wednesday’s supermoon will appear to be even closer than the full moon at the beginning of the month, and it will be the last of four consecutive supermoons this year.
The final one will be the Harvest Moon set to shine on Sept. 28.
But did you know…
Sky watchers can always see at least four supermoons per year. They always happen consecutively, roughly 29.5 days apart.
But according to NASA, supermoon is not an official astronomical term, so there is no definition about just how close to perigee (or closest to the Earth) the full moon has to be in order to be called “super."
About 25% of all full moons are supermoons, NASA says, but only 3% of full moons are blue moons. The time between super blue moons also is highly irregular and can be as long as 20 years ― though 10 years is the average.
The next super blue moons will occur in January and March 2037.
How to see it
Wednesday's super blue moon will reach its peak at 9:36 p.m. EDT — but we’ll need the weather to cooperate to see it in the Lehigh Valley.
Right now, the forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms during the day Wednesday, with heavy rainfall possible. But the National Weather Service does have some good news.
While there is still some uncertainty regarding the timing of the system, most of the rain should come to an end around midday on Wednesday, if not sooner, the latest forecast discussion said.
“By the time the rain ends, most of the area looks to have seen a general 0.75 to 1.5 inches for the period Monday night through early Wednesday, but it’s possible some areas could see double this or even a bit more than that,” the discussion said.
But partial clearing is expected by Wednesday afternoon.
If skies clear, those looking up may also spot Saturn, which will be visible near the moon and appear to move clockwise around it as the night progresses.
Anyone looking to get the most out of viewing a supermoon should move away from city lights, which can diminish how bright the moon seems, experts say.
