The phrase “once in a blue moon” represents a rare event and is due to occur in August. Despite its name, the event doesn’t relate to the color of the moon. According to NASA, there are two types of blue moons. A seasonal blue moon is the third full moon in a season with four full moons, whereas a monthly blue moon describes the second full moon within one calendar month. Blue moons generally emerge approximately once every three years.

Furthermore, the upcoming blue moon, scheduled to take place on August 30, will also be a supermoon. The term ‘supermoon’ signifies when the moon seems slightly larger and brighter than normal, as it is at its closest point to Earth, also known as perigee. As a result, the moon on August 30 will look around 14% larger and 30% brighter compared to its appearance at apogee, the point at which it is farthest from Earth. It will be a distance of around 222,043 miles from Earth, with the next closer supermoon not due until November 2025.

Prior to the blue moon, August will present another spectacle named the ‘sturgeon moon’. This full moon, also a supermoon, will appear on August 1. Its name originates from the historic abundance of sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes region during August. Other names for this moon include the green corn moon, the barley moon, and the fruit moon.

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