The Astronomical Institute told what to expect from the supermoon of the year

‘Blue Moon’ could cause increased tidal forces

The “Blue Moon” – the largest full moon of this year, will rise in the sky on the night of August 31st. At this time, it will be about 30 thousand kilometers closer to Earth than usual. The maximum phase of the supermoon will appear before observers at 4:35 Moscow time. In addition to the beautiful spectacle, at this time one should expect some increase in tidal forces.

“Blue Moon” -2023 is, according to the Moscow Planetarium, already the third supermoon this year, that is, a phenomenon in which the full moon will coincide with the maximum approach of the Moon to the Earth (perigee) due to its elliptical orbit. On Thursday night, we will be separated from our satellite by 357,181 kilometers (with an average distance of 384,400 km).

The phenomenon got its name from the English expression “Blue Moon”, which has nothing to do with the color of our satellite. This catchphrase is associated with the saying “Once in a Blue Moon” (literally – “Once in a Blue Moon”, which has a corresponding analogue in Russian: “When the cancer hangs on the mountain”). This phrase was associated with the supermoon for a reason: two full moons in a month do not happen every year. The fact is that the time interval between two full moons is 29.53 days, which is slightly shorter than the average length of a month, so about once every 2-3 years an additional full moon accumulates in the calendar, once again reminding us that there can be 13 full moons in a year. , instead of the usual twelve. That is what happened this year as well. Moreover, not only two full moons fell in August, but also two supermoons (the first was on August 1).

The second super moon of the month will begin at 18:52 on August 30, when the Moon will be at its closest distance from the Earth, and at 4:35 on August 31, the full moon will “catch up” with perigee. During this period, the Moon will look 14% larger than its average size and 30% brighter.

As explained by “MK” in the Department of Research of the Moon and Planets of the State Astronomical Institute. Sternberg Moscow State University. Lomonosov, in principle, a supermoon can cause stronger tides associated with the combined effect of the gravitational forces of the Moon, the Sun and the Earth. But the difference between normal tides and supermoon tides is small, just a few centimeters, which the average person usually does not notice. By the way, the supermoon also does not affect the well-being of a person, except perhaps for especially romantic, impressionable natures.

By the way, in September we are waiting for the fourth and last supermoon this year, which can be observed from September 28 to 29, when the full moon almost coincides with perigee when the Moon approaches the Earth at 359,910 km.

Help “MK”. Supermoon in 2023

July 3 (Moon approached the Earth at 360,149 km)

August 1 (357,309 km)

August 31 (357,181 km)

September 29 (359,910 km)