New Delhi: Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has described the first Supermoon of 2024 as “amazing.” This celestial event, which began on Monday and will continue through Wednesday, offers stargazers a rare view of a “supermoon” and a “blue moon,” said NASA in a post on X.com. Musk expressed his admiration for the moon's appearance, calling it “amazing.”
NASA has explained that a supermoon occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest distance to Earth. This phenomenon causes the Moon to appear larger and brighter in the sky. The term "blue moon" does not refer to the color of the Moon but rather signifies the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. The term was first used in English in 1528.
The term "supermoon" was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, describing either a new or full Moon that is close to Earth. The "blue moon" has been used since the 1940s to refer to the second full moon in a single month.
In 2024, sky enthusiasts can look forward to four consecutive supermoons. The next one, occurring on September 17, will be known as the Harvest Moon and will be partially eclipsed as it moves into Earth's shadow. The third supermoon of the year is set for October 17 and will be the closest full moon of the year, known as the Hunter's Moon. The final supermoon of 2024 will appear on November 15.
This rare lineup of lunar events provides an excellent opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to observe and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.
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