Lebanese Ministry of Information
Nasa explains why the next full moon will have a ‘deep, rosy glow’
The full moon in May will coincide with two rare events that will make it appear bigger, brighter, and – in some places – redder.
The celestial coincidence has earned this month’s full moon the moniker ‘Blood supermoon’, and it will be the first one since 2019.
Nasa has described it as the “most super” of this year’s moons, and it is set to appear on 26 May – though it will appear full in the sky to the casual observer for a day either side.
Across large parts of the Americas and Australasia, a total lunar eclipse will also occur on 26 May, which is what gives it the ‘Blood’ name.
“A lunar eclipse takes place when the Sun and Moon occupy precise positions on opposite sides of Earth,” Nasa’s website explains.
Unlike the lunar eclipse, the supermoon will be visible all over the world, rising in the east at around sunset and setting in the west at around sunrise.
Due to an optical trick known as the Moon Illusion, the supermoon will appear even bigger and brighter to sky gazers when it is close to the horizon. One explanation for this is that its relative size to objects on the horizon make it seem like it is bigger than it actually is.
Weather forecasts in the UK suggest favourable conditions will make it a great opportunity to view the supermoon next week.
Long range forecasts from the Met Office suggest the start of the week will be unsettled but that it will clear up as the week progresses.
The Independent
