File picture of supermoon illuminating Qatar’s night sky captured on August 2. Pic by: Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Keep your eyes on the sky tonight, August 30, as the moon will shine at its brightest as August wraps up. This evening in Qatar and around the world, a rare Super Blue Moon will illuminate the night sky.
According to Qatar Calendar House (QCH), a 'Blue Moon' refers to the second full moon that occurs within the same month. August began with a full supermoon and will end with another full supermoon - a relatively rare astronomical event.
The QCH said that this evening until before sunrise tomorrow, the moon will be larger and more luminous. The supermoon itself doesn't change in size, but it will appear bigger and brighter as it's at its closest point to Earth during orbit.
Image: NASA
QCH also stated that the 'blue moon' will look like the usual pearly-gray color full moon and will not be blue as it is called. It doesn't actually refer to the color but rather its frequency.
Why Super Blue Moon?
According to NASA, if one calendar month sees two full moons, the second is called a blue moon, making two supermoons in one month a "super blue moon".
Double treat
NASA also announced that the ringed planet Saturn will appear next to the moon this evening. "The planet Saturn, just a few days from its closest and brightest for the year, will appear near the Moon,” it said. "Saturn will be 5 degrees to the upper right of the Moon, and will appear to swing clockwise around the Moon as the evening progresses," added NASA.
The 'blue supermoon' this evening will the biggest and brightest this year, being "exceptionally close to our planet at 222,043 miles". If you miss this rare sighting tonight, you'll have to wait nine years for your next chance. So, step ouside, eyes to the sky and happy moon-gazing!
