A rare lunar phenomenon will occur on Sunday (22nd): the “seasonal blue moon,” which occurs every two and a half and three years, according to the US space agency NASA.
In this case, the name is given because it will be the third of four full moons in one season – the time between the solstice and the equinox. This phenomenon is not necessarily related to the bluish coloration. However, it is a complete board for astronomy lovers.
Records of blue moons have been around for a long time in history. First use of ‘Blue moon(in English) It dates back to 1528, according to NASA. In the 1940s, the term ‘blue moon’ was also used to refer to the second full moon recorded in the same month, which is hardly possible.
This phenomenon is also known in the United States as “sturgeon moon”, in reference to the fish of the same name. Indigenous tribes made this signal due to the fact that the period was good for catching large fish in the lakes – sturgeon was previously 5.5 meters.
It is rare, but in certain cases it is possible to observe the moon in a more blue color, if the atmosphere has ash or dust particles, for example.
Will you be able to see?
According to NASA, the “seasonal blue moon” (full moon) will officially take place on Sunday morning. Nothing similar will happen again until August 19, 2024.
Expectations are that it will be 100% full around 9am (Brazilian time), which makes viewing difficult here. In some countries it will be better to continue due to dawn time.
Anyway, it will already be shiny and round between Friday (20) and Monday (23). Have fun!
*With information from Cnet and the TimeAndDate website.
