An Orange “Blue Moon”
On August 22, 2023, a rare celestial event will occur: an orange “Blue Moon.” This phenomenon combines two distinct astronomical occurrences:
Blue Moon:
A “Blue Moon” refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month. Typically, each month has only one full moon, but occasionally a second full moon can occur due to the duration of the moon’s orbit around Earth.
Orange Moon:
The “orange” coloration of the moon is caused by scattering of sunlight by particles in Earth’s atmosphere. During a full moon, the moon is illuminated directly by the sun, and its light passes through Earth’s atmosphere twice: once on the way to the moon and once on the way back to Earth. If there are significant amounts of smoke, dust, or other particles in the atmosphere, these particles can scatter the blue light from the moon’s surface, leaving behind the longer wavelength colors, such as orange and red.
Why is this Event Rare?
The combination of a Blue Moon and an orange moon is relatively rare. Blue Moons occur only about once every 2.7 years, while orange moons are even less common. To have these two events coincide is a rare astronomical occurrence.
Why is the Moon Orange?
The orange coloration of the moon is caused by smoke and dust particles in Earth’s atmosphere. These particles can be from various sources, such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions, or industrial activity.
When and Where to See It
The orange “Blue Moon” will be visible in most parts of the world where the sky is clear. The moon will appear orange in color and will rise in the east shortly after sunset. The best time to view it will be during the hours around moonrise and moonset, when the moon is low in the sky and the orange coloration is most pronounced.
Significance of the Event
While rare, an orange “Blue Moon” is not particularly significant from an astronomical perspective. However, it is a beautiful celestial event that provides an opportunity to observe the moon’s unique appearance and appreciate the effects of Earth’s atmosphere on the light we receive from space.
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Please search for “An Orange Blue Moon” which is rapidly rising on NASA and explain in detail. Answers should be in English.
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