ATLANTA — Metro Atlanta residents were treated to quite the sight on Monday with a blue supermoon hovering in the sky.
Although a supermoon and a blue moon are not rare, the combination of the two occurring in tandem only happens about every 10 years, on average.
The previous blue supermoon was only one year ago, in August 2023. But the next blue supermoon won't happen until 2037.
Below are some pictures that our weather impact Facebook group snapped:
Blue supermoon over metro Atlanta | Photos
What is a 'blue supermoon'
Supermoons refer to full moons that occur when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to earth, known as its perigee. The Moon does not revolve around the earth in a perfect circle. It rather travels in an elliptical pattern. This is why we get supermoons and "micromoons."
Because the moon was slightly closer to Earth, it appeared a little bit brighter. The distances of each supermoon vary, as do the brightnesses. On average, a supermoon disc can appear up to 8% bigger and 15% brighter than the average standard full moon. You will notice the biggest difference around moonrise and as the moon is setting.
A blue moon refers to the third of four full Moons in an astronomical season. This naming dates back to the 1500s. More recently, they've also been calling the second of two full moons in a single calendar month a "blue moon." On average, there is a blue moon about every two to three years. Only about 3% of all full moons are blue Moons.
