By Marcia Dunn

Stargazers are in for a double treat on Aug. 30: a rare blue supermoon with Saturn peeking from behind.

The cosmic curtain rises Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it’s considered blue. It’s dubbed a supermoon because it’s closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright.

This will be the closest full moon of the year, just 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) or so away. That’s more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) closer than the Aug. 1 supermoon.

As a bonus, Saturn will be visible as a bright point 5 degrees to the upper right of the moon at sunset in the east-southeastern sky, according to NASA. The ringed planet will appear to circle clockwise around the moon as the night wears on.

If you missed the month’s first spectacle, better catch this one. There won’t be another blue supermoon until 2037, according to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project.

Clouds spoiled Masi's attempt to livestream the supermoon rising earlier this month. He’s hoping for clearer skies this time so he can capture the blue supermoon shining above St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Weather permitting, observers don’t need binoculars or telescopes — “just their own eyes." said Masi.

“I’m always excited to admire the beauty of the night sky,” he said, especially when it features a blue supermoon.

The first supermoon of 2023 was in July. The fourth and last will be in September.

Share:
More In Science
J&J Vaccine, Build Back Later & Love, Hate, Ate
Carlo and Baker wrap up another week discussing the latest explosion in new Covid cases in the Northeast, President Biden's stalled agenda and more. Plus, Love, Hate, Ate featuring the question: why did movie dialogue get so hard to understand?
Explaining Climate Change and Extreme Weather
From extreme cold in Texas to devastating wildfires in California to the recent tornadoes in the Midwest, the U.S. experienced a string of severe weather events in 2021. Cheddar News speaks with climate expert Sweta Chakraborty on how these disasters are linked to climate change.
How Sports Leagues Take a Lead Role in Battling COVID-19
The sports world has been at the forefront of dealing with the pandemic ever since the NBA temporarily halted operations in March 2020 and opted to play in their Florida bubble. As the omicron variant and current COVID surge forces game postponements and player quarantines, how leagues manage to continue operations through the outbreaks could be a sign of what is to come for the general public. Dr. Robby Sikka, chair of the COVID Sports Society Workgroup and a former VP with the Minnesota Timberwolves, joined Cheddar's "Closing Bell" to talk about the ways in which the NBA, NHL, and NFL are innovating amid the disruptions.
The Bump's 'Black Maternal Health' Hub Works to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality
According to the CDC, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. The grim statistic is one of the main reasons why two organizations came together to do something. The Bump and the National Medical Association are partnering to launch The Black Maternal Health hub. The online resource will help expecting mothers feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout pregnancy and the early days of parenting. Jennifer Lee at The Bump and Dr. Rachel Villanueva, a clinical assistant professor of OB/GYN and member of the National Medical Association join Cheddar News to talk about the initiative.
Future of the Genomics Industry; Innovation in Breast Milk
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Nucleus CEO breaks down what the future of the genomics industry looks like; Biomilq Co-Founders explains how they are is recreating the process of milk production outside the body to combine both nutrition and practicality for new moms; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'Top Science Stories 2021.'
The Flaws and Future of the Genomics Industry
Kian Sadeghi, Founder and CEO of Nucleus, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how he's making genetic analysis more accessible, what our genetic code can teach us about ourselves, and what the future of the genomics industry looks like.
Load More