W. M. Keck Observatory’s Post

For your knowledge library: A "Blue Moon" refers to an extra full moon in a season or month. There are two standard definitions: Seasonal Blue Moon occurs when four full moons are in a single season rather than the usual three. The third full moon in this sequence is called a "Blue Moon." A Monthly Blue Moon occurs when two full moons occur in a single calendar month. The second full moon is referred to as the "Blue Moon." Despite the name, the moon doesn't turn blue. The term is more about rarity, akin to "once in a blue moon," which signifies something that happens infrequently. This Supermoon will be visible on 19 August and appear in the sky for three days. It is expected to be seen at 11:56 pm IST on Monday.

Witness the wonder of a lunar eclipse! 🌍 What is it? A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon. 🌑 Why does it happen? It's all about the way the Earth, moon, and sun move in space. When they align in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle, the Earth's shadow falls on the moon, creating an eclipse. 🔵 Different types: There are total lunar eclipses when the Earth's shadow covers the entire moon, partial lunar eclipses when only part of the moon is covered, and penumbral lunar eclipses when the moon passes through the Earth's outer shadow. 👁️ Safe to watch: Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye! So, don't miss the chance to witness this breathtaking celestial event. #LunarEclipse #CelestialWonder #Astronomy101 #NightSkyMagic #SpaceScience #StargazingAdventure #MoonMagic #CosmicPhenomenon #LearnAndExplore #WonderOfTheUniverse

October’s Supermoon Teams Up with Comet for a Stunning Nighttime Display? What Makes a Moon "Super"? While it's more of a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth. This event typically happens three to four times a year, often in succession, due to the moon's constantly shifting, elliptical orbit. Details here 👉 https://cutt.ly/XeShsDHl

Happy Lunar New Year! Lunar New Year, often referred to as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is celebrated by various Asian countries, regions and cultures with different traditions and customs. This year, it falls on Feb. 10, kicking off the 15-day Spring Festival. About the Lunar Calendar Today, much of the world follows the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar year. The solar year is 365 days, which is the time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun. In contrast to the solar calendar, the lunar calendar follows the phases of the moon, which as you might guess is how long it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth. The phases of the lunar month begin with a new moon when the moon is directly in-between the Sun and Earth. As they days go by, the moon moves around the Earth (“waxes”) and appears crescent shaped in the sky, until it reaches the other side of our planet and becomes full in mid-month. Now Earth is between the Sun and Moon. Finally, the Moon completes its orbit (“wanes”), until it is once again new, between the Sun and Earth.

🌕 *Exploring the Moon: More Than Just a Distant Rock* 🌑 The Moon has captivated humanity for centuries, but there's more to this celestial body than meets the eye. Here are a few fascinating facts: - Volume & Size:* Did you know the Moon’s volume is about 2% that of Earth? Despite being smaller, it plays a crucial role in our tides and even our day-to-day cycles. - Color Perception:* Though we often see the Moon as white or yellow, its actual color is a mix of gray and brown due to its rocky surface. Our atmosphere and perspective change how we perceive its hues. - The Blue Moon Phenomenon:* The term "once in a blue moon" isn’t just a phrase. It refers to the rare occurrence of two full moons in a single calendar month. The next blue moon is a reminder of the Moon’s mystical presence in our lives. The Moon continues to inspire awe, reminding us of the distances we’ve overcome and the journeys still ahead. What does the Moon mean to you? #MoonFacts #BlueMoon #Astronomy #SpaceExploration #Inspiration

🌕 This Super Full Moon on October 17th is said to be the strongest full moon of 2024, as it's the closest to Earth in its orbit. We know that full moons affect the tides and even tectonic plates, so it's no surprise this powerful energy will likely have an effect on us, too. 🌊 This is a time for looking inward and facing the things we’ve been resisting or hiding from. What have you been avoiding or pushing aside lately? With this intense energy, we might feel a range of emotions — maybe even a strong urge to take action in areas that have felt stuck or stagnant. It can feel both inspiring and challenging. If things feel overwhelming, it’s important to stay grounded and find balance. Here are a few things I do to help: 💫 Walking barefoot on the earth (if possible) 💫 Visualizing roots from my feet or root chakra going deep into the earth 💫 Being in or near bodies of water 💫 Getting plenty of rest and processing the emotions that arise 💫 Taking walks and spending time in nature as much as possible These practices really help me feel more stable and better able to respond to whatever comes up — emotionally or energetically. Plus, I'll be spending a bit of time journaling about where I currently am and what feels like it isn't working well. What helps you stay grounded during times like this? 💬 #SuperFullMoon #FaceYourShadows #InnerWork #StayGrounded #SoulfulWealthSystem #PetwellCreativeEnterprises

A super moon could be observed in the sky in the coming days — AP The first of four supermoons this year will be visible on the night of Sunday (Aug. 18) to Monday (Aug. 19) - at which time the full Moon will approach Earth a little closer than usual, making it appear slightly larger and about 30 percent brighter. The next super moon will occur on the night of September 18, but the Moon will be closest to Earth during the October super moon (night of October 17). For comparison: on the night of August 19, the Moon will be at a distance of 361,970 km from the Earth, and on the night of October 17 - at a distance of 357,364 km.

Is the Moon shrinking? The Moon as we see it is always changing. Throughout the month, our planet’s natural satellite goes through phases as its orientation relative to Earth and the Sun changes. The phases are predictable and cyclical, giving the Moon a constancy in spite of its variability. But the Moon is also changing in other, more permanent ways. https://lnkd.in/gYfbGd47