What is a blue micromoon and when is the best time to see it this weekend?
A blue micromoon is a rare spectacle, though it's not as blue or as micro as you might imagine
What is a blue micromoon and when is the best time to see it this weekend? A blue micromoon, a rare event occurring about once every few decades, will be visible this weekend. This phenomenon is defined as the second full moon within a single calendar month, or less commonly, the third full moon in an astronomical season with four full moons. The ‘micro’ aspect refers to the moon appearing slightly smaller due to its elliptical orbit around Earth, though the difference is subtle.
- A blue moon is typically defined as the second full moon in a single calendar month.
- A seasonal blue moon is the third full moon in an astronomical season that has four full moons.
- A micromoon occurs when a full moon happens near the farthest point of its elliptical orbit from Earth.
- A blue micromoon is a rare combination, occurring approximately once every couple of decades.
- The moon does not actually appear blue during a blue micromoon, unless atmospheric conditions like forest fires or volcanic eruptions cause a scattering effect.
- For optimal viewing, catch the moon on the night before or the night after the exact full moon time, as it will appear full to the naked eye.
- The phrase ‘once in a blue moon’ might be linked to the rarer blue tint caused by atmospheric particles rather than the frequency of blue moons.
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