The skies of Saudi Arabia are in for a rare show of the Super Blue Moon on Monday August 19, 2024, in its first appearance this year.
The moon will appear full for three days, from Sunday morning to Wednesday early morning, but it will peak on Monday afternoon, according to NASA. Astronomy fans can observe the extraordinary phenomenon with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
Supermoon Phenomenon
Each month, the moon passes through its closest point to Earth (perigee) and its farthest point from Earth (apogee). A supermoon occurs when the moon is full and at its closest point to Earth. When the moon comes to its closest point to Earth, it appears larger and brighter than usual.
A supermoon will appear 30% brighter and 14% bigger than a typical full moon. According to NASA, this supermoon will be the first of four consecutive supermoons this year. The other occurrences will be in September, October and November.
Blue Moon
The blue moon phenomenon has two definitions, but neither of them is related to color. According to NASA, a blue moon refers to the third of four full moons in a single season, in this case summer. This type is called seasonal blue moon.
The second definition refers to the second full moon in a month with two full moons, and is called monthly blue moon. The full moon on Monday will be of the seasonal type.
On Monday, the cycles of supermoon and blue moon align on the calendar, creating the rare combination of a super blue moon.
Super Blue Moon in Saudi Arabia
The head of Jeddah Astronomical Society (JAS), Majed Abu Zahra, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that Saudi Arabia will see the rare spectacle of the super blue moon at 9:25 pm, Makkah time (6:25 pm GMT).
يكتمل القمر البدر لشهر صفر في سماء السعودية يوم الإثنين 19 أغسطس 2024 وهو يمثل القمر البدر العملاق الأول لهذا العام حيث سيكون أقرب قليلا إلى الأرض من المعتاد ما سيجعله يبدو أكبر وأكثر إشراقاً. يعرف هذا البدر ايضاً باسم "القمر الأزرق الموسمي" وهو حدث نادر يحدث مره كل عدة سنوات.🌕 pic.twitter.com/4t9dhiIRxg
— الجمعية الفلكية بجدة (@JASsociety) August 18, 2024
By that time, the moon will have completed half of its orbit around Earth. The super blue moon will be 7% bigger and 15% brighter compared to the typical monthly full moon, said Abu Zahra. However, many observers may not be able to notice the difference between the super blue moon and the typical full moons due to clouds and street lights.
Abu Zahra added that the seasonal blue moon occurs every two years and a half, so the next occurrence is expected on May, 20, 2026.
No Harmful Effects
According to Abu Zahra, the super blue moon will have no significant impacts on Earth other than the natural tides phenomenon. Every month, when the moon is full, the Earth, Moon and Sun align, causing the rise and fall of sea levels.
The head of JAS confirmed that the super blue moon will not cause any increase in geological activity or any unusual weather patterns. Furthermore, the unique phenomenon offers a rare opportunity to watch the radiant craters on the moon’s surface.
