Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat Wednesday night: a rare "super blue Moon" that won't be seen again for more than a decade.
Supermoons occur when the Moon passes through its perigee, or the point that takes it closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit. This makes it look about 14 percent bigger compared to when it is at its furthest point, and a touch brighter.
Full Moons are defined by the exact moment they are opposite the Sun, which will occur at 9:36 pm Eastern Time on August 30 (0136 GMT Thursday), according to NASA.
The Virtual Telescope Project, hosted by Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, will host a YouTube livestream beginning at 0336 GMT as it sets below the skyline of Rome.
Despite the description, it won't actually be blue: the term "blue Moon" simply refers to when we see a full moon twice in a month. This happens because lunar cycles are a bit shorter at 29.5 days than calendar months, which last 30 or 31 days, so it's possible for one to happen at the start of a month and the other right at the end.
The previous super blue Moon occurred in December 2009, with the next set to come in quick succession: January and March of 2037.
The origins of the English expression "once in a blue Moon," today understood to mean something that is very rare, go back hundreds of years. In Elizabethan times, "he would argue the Moon was blue" could be said about a person making outlandish or patently absurd claims.
It is possible, however, for the Moon to take on a blue hue in the right circumstances. This can occur as a result of smoke or dust particles in the atmosphere scattering red wavelengths of life, such as following the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia in 1883.
Dust from the event "turned sunsets green and the Moon blue all around the world for the best part of two years," according to Sky & Telescope magazine. A more recent example may have occurred after 1950's Chinchaga Firestorm, a huge blaze that consumed the northern boreal forests of Canada.
- Higher tides -
The planet Saturn, just a few days out from its closest and brightest approach to Earth this year, will also appear near the Moon.
Wednesday's full Moon coincides with the Hindu festival "Raksha Bandhan" or Rakhi, which celebrates the bond between siblings. It is traditional for sisters to tie a rakhi, or cotton bracelet, around their brother's wrist, who give a gift in return.
It also falls in the month of Elul in the Hebrew calendar, a time of seeking and granting others forgiveness, as well as beginning and ending letters with wishes for the recipient to have a good year.
"As usual, the wearing of suitably celebratory celestial attire is encouraged in honor of the full Moon. Take care of your siblings, let go of grudges, and here's wishing you a good year!" said a NASA post.
While the super blue Moon will make for specatular photos, its stronger gravitional pull also makes tides higher, which could exacerbate coastal flooding from Hurricane Idalia as it sweeps across Florida.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Defense Industry Analyst: 7Stock Market Analyst: 7General Industry Analyst: 8Analyst Summary
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This article discusses the rare occurrence of a “Super Blue Moon” set to occur on August 30, 0136 GMT. This phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes through its perigee, or the point closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit, and is made to appear 14 percent bigger and brighter than normal. This is the first “Super Blue Moon” since December 2009 and the next one is not set to occur until January and March of 2037. It is possible for the Moon to take on a blue hue in the right circumstances, such as in the aftermath of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia, which turned the sunsets green and the Moon blue all around the world for two years.
The event is significant to the defense industry as any conditions that affect visibility can have implications on the effectiveness of defense operations. Stock market analysts may be interested in the event, as it could have implications on the demand for defense industry products and services. Finally, general industry analysts may be interested in the event, as it could provide further evidence of environmental and atmospheric changes that could have implications on the industry.
When compared to significant events and trends in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years, the “Super Blue Moon” event offers a unique perspective on the changing atmosphere. This event could be interpreted as a reminder of how quickly atmospheric conditions can change and how much of an effect these changes can have on the industry.
Investigative
Question:
- 1. What specific implications does the “Super Blue Moon” event have on defense operations?
- 2. How could the “Super Blue Moon” event affect the demand for defense industry products and services?
- 3.
What other events in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years have had an effect on atmospheric conditions?4. What are the potential long-term implications of the “Super Blue Moon” event on the industry?
5. Are there any potential measures that could be taken to mitigate any potential negative impacts of the “Super Blue Moon” event?
This AI report is generated by a sophisticated prompt to a ChatGPT API. Our editors clean text for presentation, but preserve AI thought for our collective observation. Please comment and ask questions about AI use by Spacedaily. We appreciate your support and contribution to better trade news.
