August's Rare Super Blue Moon: Date, Timing, Where And How To Watch It?

Skywatchers around the world are gearing up to witness a rare celestial event known as the Super Blue Moon on the night of August 30 and the early hours of August 31, 2023.

The Super Blue Moon is a rare astronomical event that combines three lunar phenomena: a full moon, a supermoon, and a blue moon. A blue moon is a second full moon that occurs in a single calendar month. This year, the second full moon will happen on August 30, 2023, which is also the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan.

When and where to see it

The Super Blue Moon will peak in the skies above North America and Europe on August 30, at around 8:37 pm EDT. In India, the full Moon will reach at its peak at 1:37 am BST (9:36 am ET or 7:06 am IST on August 31). The best time to view it will be shortly after sunset, during the twilight hours.

Where and how to watch Super Blue Moon?

To see the Super Blue Moon, you will need to find a clear view of the night sky. You can view it with the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope will give you a better view.

In case the viewing conditions for the Super Blue Moon in your vicinity are unfavorable, you have the option to experience it in real-time through The Virtual Telescope Project. The live broadcast is scheduled for August 31 at 3:30 UTC (9:00 am IST on August 31).

Supermoon phenomenon

The Moon follows an elliptical orbit around Earth, with one side of the ellipse closer to Earth than the other. When the full moon coincides with its closest point to Earth, it is called a supermoon. This makes the full moon appear larger and brighter than usual.

The Moon's cycle is 29.5 days, which is shorter than the typical length of a calendar month. This means that it is possible for two full moons to occur within the same month. The second full moon in a month is called a blue moon. This happens every two to three years.