Monday's Supermoon is the First in a Streak of Four

We're taking a break from the usual food writing to look up and enjoy the rare blue supermoon in the night sky.

Photo byKym MacKinnononUnsplash

(CHICAGO) The first supermoon of the year will make its appearance Monday night. August's full moon is the first of four supermoons arriving on August 19th, September 18th, October 17th, and November 15th.

What is a Supermoon?

Supermoons are bigger and brighter than regular full moons. They appear this way because they are within 90% of the moon's closest approach to Earth. The best time to see a supermoon is early in the night when the moon is low on the horizon.

When is the Best Time in Chicago to See Monday's Full Supermoon?

Watch for Monday's full supermoon in the Chicago area when it rises in the Eastern sky and after the sun has set.

Moonrise in Chicago occurs at 8:05 PM Monday and 8:30 PM Tuesday. Those times and shortly after will be your best chance of seeing a big and beautiful full moon in the sky.

Photo byGary FultzonUnsplash

Why Is It Called a Blue Moon?

You may have heard that a blue moon is when a full moon occurs twice within the same month. Although August's blue moon is the only full moon of the month, it's a seasonal blue moon because it's the third of four full moons this season.

Will the Moon Appear Blue?

No, the moon won't look blue next week. On rare occasions the moon has appeared blue, such as after the 1884 volcanic eruption of Krakatoa when tiny ash particles shot into the stratosphere and made the moon look blue.

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