Prepare to witness the captivating spectacle of a blue moon, a celestial event that occurs only once every two or three years. This enchanting phenomenon arises due to the moon’s uneven cycle of phases. Typically, it takes 29.5 days for the moon to complete its full cycle of 12 phases. However, this unevenness leads to an extra full moon, the 13th, appearing every two and a half years or so within a calendar year, thus earning the title of a blue moon.
The next blue moon is scheduled to illuminate the night sky on August 19, 2024. Its peak will be at 2:26 p.m. ET (1826 GMT), a time when it will be shining brightly in the celestial canvas.
Intriguingly, the term ‘blue moon’ has two distinct definitions. The first, known as a ‘seasonal blue moon,’ adheres to a traditional definition. It refers to the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, as opposed to the usual three, according to NASA. The second definition, more commonly used nowadays, is that of a ‘monthly blue moon.’ This refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month.
Regardless of the definition, a blue moon is a captivating sight that draws our gaze to the heavens. So mark your calendars for August 19, 2024, and prepare to be mesmerized by the beauty of this rare lunar event.
