Edhat Staff
UPDATE: See edhat readers’ photos of the Super Blue Moon here.
By the edhat staff
Get ready to capture a rare glimpse of Wednesday night’s Super Blue Moon. Clear skies are anticipated to provide optimal viewing conditions for what promises to be a spectacular celestial event.
The last of its kind until 2037, this stunning phenomenon combines the convergence of a supermoon and a Blue Moon. While the Super Blue Moon won’t appear blue in color, this label instead refers to either two full moons occurring within the same calendar month or the third full moon in a season with four full moons.
It is expected to rise at approximately 7:36 p.m. To make it even more accessible for enthusiasts, the Virtual Telescope Project is offering a free livestream of the event for those unable to observe it in person due to poor weather conditions.
The pinnacle of the Super Blue Moon can be witnessed when it achieves fullness. This particular phase signifies when the moon is directly opposite the sun, creating a breathtaking celestial alignment.
Following tonight’s full moon, its visibility will gradually diminish each night until the next new moon. During this phase, the moon will not be visible as it rises and sets with the sun, blanketing the night sky in darkness. However, this lull will precede the Full Corn Moon, scheduled for September 29, which will mark the fourth supermoon of 2023 and the final one of the year.
Supermoons occur because the moon’s elliptical orbit causes it to periodically come closer to Earth (perigee) or move farther away (apogee). Although the difference in proximity may not be easily distinguishable to the naked eye, it does result in a slightly larger and brighter appearance during a supermoon.
Where to See the Super Blue Moon in Santa Barbara
The best place to watch the Super Blue Moon in Santa Barbara is from any location that offers a clear view of the eastern sky.
Head to one of the local beaches along the Santa Barbara coastline. Stearns Wharf and East Beach are popular spots that offer unobstructed views of the horizon, allowing for a stunning backdrop when observing the moonrise.
Some more popular location for star/moongazing are Lizard’s Mouth, Shoreline Park, and Lake Cachuma, weather permitting of course.
For optimal viewing, it is essential to find a location away from bright city lights to minimize light pollution. This will enhance visibility and make it easier to appreciate the moon’s natural beauty.
So grab a picnic blanket, find a comfortable spot, and prepare to witness the Super Blue Moon illuminate the night sky in Santa Barbara tonight.
As always, send in your super photos to info@edhat.com to be featured on edhat.com!
Saw it late last night and then again this morning, before it set in the west. Pretty cool. I had no idea we won’t see this convergence again until 2037.
Blue moons are calendar math, not astronomical phenomena, and they happen every 2-3 years (~ 30 months) when a full moon happens to line up with the start of a month. They are of course more frequent in months with 31 days, and never occur in February. There will be 2 blue moons in 2037, one in January and one in March.