Monday’s full moon may be one of the biggest and brightest.
That’s because the moon is full and at its closest distance to the Earth — called a supermoon. On top of that, the timing coincides with a blue moon. Here’s what that means and what to watch for in the sky.
What is a supermoon?
The moon has an oval-shaped orbit. That means it gets closer to the Earth at times. When the moon is at its closest distance and appears full, it is called a supermoon, said Jerry Clifford, a research scientist and now retired physics professor at CSU Channel Islands.
Because it is closer to Earth, the moon can appear bigger and brighter in the sky.
What is a blue moon?
Normally, there are three full moons in each of the four astronomical seasons. But sometimes, the moon’s orbit aligns to bring four full moons in one season, said Vanessa Alarcon, astronomical observer at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
When that happens, the third full moon of the season is called a blue moon, Alarcon said.
How will the supermoon look different?
The moon may appear bigger and brighter than normal. But for most looking up at the sky, it won’t look like a huge difference, experts said. Still, it can be impressive.
Where and when is the best place to see the supermoon?
Location isn’t a big factor. That’s because the full moon is so bright, Clifford said. As long as the sky is clear, you don’t need a special spot to see the supermoon.
“It’s really something you can watch anywhere,” Alarcon said.
The moon typically will be the most striking when it is rising, she said. But even as it crosses the meridian, it will still appear bigger.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Supermoon: What to expect for the blue supermoon on Monday
