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The term “Blue Moon” refers to the rare phenomenon where there are two full moons within one calendar month. In August 2023, this is the case.
Blue Moon: What happens in August 2023
The term “Blue Moon” has nothing to do with the actual colour of the moon. Again, the moon does not appear blue.
- Normally there is only one full moon per month. This occurs approximately every 29.5 days, resulting in the usual twelve full moons per year. A “Blue Moon” occurs when a second full moon occurs in the same calendar period, usually at the beginning or end of the month.
- Also, when the third full moon within a season is followed by a fourth, it is called a “Blue Moon”. Normally there are only three full moons in a season. If there is then a fourth, it is a rather rare situation.
- The term therefore refers to an additional full moon within a certain period of time. However, it is sometimes used to describe a rare or unusual event.
- There will be a full moon on August 1, 2023, as well as on August 31, 2023, which is why this is referred to as the “Blue Moon” phenomenon. And what’s more, these two moons will also be supermoons. That means they will be particularly large and bright, because instead of being 380000 kilometres away from Earth, they will only be about 357000 kilometres away.
