Armenia Witnesses Spectacular Supermoon and Blue Moon Combo

Photo Credit: Alexander Patrin

On the night of August 19, the skies above Armenia provided a stunning view of a rare astronomical event—a combination of a Supermoon and a Blue Moon. This spectacular occurrence, visible from the Byurakan Observatory, captivated skywatchers across the region.

Photo Credit: Alexander Patrin

The event began at 10:26 PM Yerevan time, when the full moon entered one of its most powerful phases. Unlike its typical appearance, this full moon was a Supermoon, meaning it was much closer to Earth than usual. The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 384,400 kilometers, but this distance varies throughout the year due to the Moon’s elliptical orbit. When the Moon is at its closest point to Earth, known as perigee, and is also a full moon, it becomes a Supermoon. This makes the Moon appear about 7% larger and 16% brighter than a regular full moon, creating a breathtaking sight in the night sky.

Supermoons are relatively rare, occurring approximately every three to four years. However, this particular Supermoon was even more special because it coincided with a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon is not actually blue in color but is the name given to an extra full moon that occurs every two and a half to three years. There are two types of Blue Moons: a monthly Blue Moon, which is the second full moon in a single month, and a seasonal Blue Moon, which is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons instead of the usual three. The August 19 moon was a seasonal Blue Moon, the third of four full moons occurring in the summer of 2024.

The combination of a Supermoon and a Blue Moon is an exceptionally rare event, happening only once every decade. The next occurrence is not expected until January and March of 2037. The last time a Super Blue Moon occurred was in August of the previous year, making this back-to-back event even more unique.

The Moon’s orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, but an ellipse, leading to variations in its distance from our planet. When the full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth, it’s known as a Supermoon. The term "Supermoon" was first popularized in 1979, although astronomers refer to this phenomenon as a "perigean full moon." The Moon’s perigee during a Supermoon is about 226,000 miles (approximately 363,300 kilometers) from Earth.

On Monday, August 19, the Super Blue Moon, also known as the Sturgeon Moon, lit up the night sky. The Sturgeon Moon is a name that originates from Native American traditions, specifically referring to August’s full moon when sturgeon fish were plentiful in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.