🌕💥 Double the Shine in August? How ‘Super’ Can a Supermoon Really Get? 🌌🔭

TL;DR; 🌝 August is treatin’ us with not one but TWO supermoons! But how super are they actually, and do we even notice the difference? 🤷‍♂️🌌

Disclaimer: This article is not a celestial guide nor an advice column on moon-gazing techniques. For all things technical and astronomical, consult your local stargazing expert.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, it might just be a supermoon! Yup, those dazzling lunar phenomena that make the night sky feel a little extra. But have you ever paused to think: just what is a supermoon, and can you genuinely spot its ‘super-ness’?

Alright, let’s break it down a notch. The moon orbits our beloved Earth in what they call an “elliptical” shape. Sounds fancy, right? This means it’s like an out-of-shape circle. 🌍🔄🌕 Sometimes, it cozies up a bit closer, and other times, it’s like, “Hey Earth, I need some space!”

Now, here’s where things get spicy 🌶️. A supermoon is when our moon is not only flaunting its full figure but is also at its nearest point in its orbit around Earth. It’s like when you’re trying to take a selfie and you move the camera juuuust a bit closer to get that perfect angle. 🤳✨

So, on 1st August, this fabulous moon of ours will be a mere 222,158 miles (or 357,530 km if you’re into metrics) from Earth. But wait, there’s more! This is only the first of TWO supermoons we’re getting in August. Talk about being generous! The sequel to this lunar show will be on 30th August. And just to sprinkle a bit more dazzle, it’s even closer at 222,043 miles (357,344km). Did someone say double feature? 🎥🌕🌕

Now, here’s a quirky twist. Since it’s the second full moon of August, some folks like to call it a blue moon. But don’t go getting all excited expecting a Smurf-tinted moon or something. 🌚💙 The term “blue moon” is more about frequency than color. And yeah, there’s some academic debate about what exactly gets to be called a “blue moon,” but hey, who doesn’t love a good old astronomical controversy?

Supermoons are like the movie stars of the night sky, supposedly being around 14% larger and up to 30% brighter. But here’s the tea ☕: Most of us probably won’t notice the difference unless you’re a hardcore lunar fan with some serious moon-watching gear. For most of us, it’s just a slightly bigger, slightly brighter, cool-looking moon.

So, the real question: With all this hype about supermoons, are we genuinely appreciating its grandeur or just falling for some lunar PR magic? And if you had the chance, would you get closer to the moon to truly appreciate its super-ness? 🌕✨🤔 Discuss.