A supermoon was visible in the night sky
Published: Tuesday, Aug 20th 2024, 11:10
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Brightly shining and particularly large: last night, a supermoon could be admired in the sky above Switzerland. According to the US space agency NASA, this happens when the Earth's companion comes particularly close to our planet in its elliptical orbit and the moon is full at the same time.
The full moon then appears particularly large and bright due to its smaller distance in the sky. If the moon is at a position close to the earth, it can appear up to 14 percent larger compared to the point furthest from the earth, writes Nasa.
Last night, the moon was around 360,000 kilometers away, and at the next full moon in mid-September it will only be around 357,000 kilometers away.
Did the moon shine blue?
However, according to NASA, the moon was not only a supermoon, but also a seasonal "blue moon". Does this mean that the moon was shining blue? "No, this is merely the term for two full moons in one month or for the third full moon in a season with four full moons," says Nasa.
There are usually three full moons in every season with three months. However, if there is a fourth full moon, the seasonal "blue moon" occurs. According to Nasa, only six percent of all full moons are seasonal or monthly "blue moons". Incidentally, the phrase "once in a blue moon" means "once in a blue moon" due to the rarity of the event.
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