FRANKFURT: Moon-gazers are in for a double-treat in August, with two larger than usual full moons in a month.
The moon will be at its closest proximity to the Earth this Tuesday and again on Aug 31, during its elliptical orbit around our planet, said German news agency (dpa).
Both full moons will appear almost the same size, according to the German amateur astronomers’ group the Society of Star-friends (Vereinigung der Sternfreunde). The double spectacle is possible because the cycle between two full moons is 29.5 days, but August has 31 days.
On Aug 1, the moon’s closest approach to the Earth will be at 8.32 pm (1832 GMT). However, the Earth’s satellite does not rise in Central Europe until 9.34 pm. At the end of the month, the moon will be at its fullest at 3.36 am, several hours after moonrise.
Two full moons in one calendar month are rare, the second of which is called a “Blue Moon” in many English-speaking countries – there won’t be another one until May 31, 2026.
For the two full moons in August, the distance between the Earth and its satellite will be about 357,000 kilometres. The average distance of the moon in its orbit is around 380,000 kilometres. – BERNAMA-dpa
