The rare Super Blue Moon will be visible in the Lytham St Anne’s skies tonight (Wednesday 30th August) and will one the biggest and brightest moons of the year.
The Sun will begin to set at approximately 7:55 p.m. tonight, and like a seesaw, the Moon will rise into the twilight sky and a good view (clouds permitting) of the moon should be presented soon after rising.
However, the Moon will not look blue in colour. It is refer to a ‘Blue Moon’ in the metaphorical sense; something that is rare in occurrence, rather than a literal colour. Photographers use a blue filter to enhance the colour. In fact, the Moon is more likely to look a yellow-orange colour when it’s near to horizon, before changing to a grey colour as it rises higher into the sky.
Astronomer Peter Lawrence gives this advice to Moon gazers, ‘If you live in an area with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, around 9 p.m. will be a good time to meander to a window to spot this rare Moon. We’ll also be treated to the ‘moon effect’ around this time. This is when – to our human eyes – the Moon looks bigger when it’s closer to the horizon.
If you live in an area where the horizon is obstructed (for example, by trees, buildings, or hills), then you’ll still get a good view once the Moon has risen higher in the sky, around 11 p.m.’
Joining the Super Blue Moon in the sky will be Saturn, also coming off its biggest and brightest appearance of 2023. Look for the ringed planet just above and to the right of the moon, although spotting it might be difficult due to the glare of the bright, full moon.
