Grab those binoculars and telescopes because August’s full moon will grace the skies above Miami today! But this isn’t just your average full moon; it’ll be both the year’s first supermoon and a blue moon! Set to appear bigger and brighter than usual, it will rise on August 19 and reach its closest point to the Earth for the year.
What is a supermoon?
What’s so different about a supermoon vs. a full moon? Well, a supermoon describes the moon at its nearest distance to Earth on its orbit (the closest point is called a “perigee”). According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, while it is technically bigger and brighter than a regular full moon, it only appears about 7% larger which might not make a noticeable difference to the human eye.
What makes it a blue moon?
Despite its name, blue moons have little to do with color. It actually refers to the third of four full moons within a season or when two full moons occur in one month, which is rare. Hence the phrase, “once in a blue moon.”
How to see the year’s first supermoon in Miami
Beginning on Monday, August 19, the moon will reach peak illumination at 2:26 p.m. ET. But due to daylight, your best bet is to gaze up after sunset. If you don’t have a chance to see it that very night, don’t worry! The super blue moon will actually appear full for three days, from Sunday morning through early Wednesday, according to NASA.
You can track moonrise and moonset in Miami on Time and Date.
When are the next full supermoons?
This supermoon kicks off three more set to take place later this year. You can look out for the next one, also known as the harvest moon, on September 17. From there, you can mark your calendars for the hunter’s moon on October 17 and beaver moon on November 15.