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Super blue moon: What is it, and when will the next one be?

Published

3 years ago

August 29, 2023

Explainer – The world will witness a rare ‘super blue moon’ later this week, the first in 14 years and the last until sometime in the 2030s.

But while the Earth’s only natural satellite will definitely look super on Thursday night, it will not actually be blue.

So how did it get this peculiar name? And why is there disagreement on when the next one will be? Let’s break it down.

What’s so ‘super’ about it anyway?

Before we get to the ‘super’ part of the ‘super blue moon’, we first have to remember that it’s also a full moon. That’s when the moon is on the other side of Earth to the Sun, so the side of the moon facing Earth is completely lit.

The moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle. Like all heavenly orbits, it’s an ellipse – in the moon’s case close to a circle, but not quite. At its usual furthest it’s about 405,500 kilometres away – known as the apogee, and at its closest just 363,000km – the perigee.

It doesn’t reach these extremes every time it orbits, but when it comes close – and at the same time is full – it’s deemed a ‘supermoon’, a term coined in 1979 by US astrologer – yes, astrologer, not astronomer – Richard Nolle.

The exact definition of just how close a supermoon has to be is a matter of debate, though it’s typically thought to be under 360,000km. Thursday’s supermoon will be just 357,181km away from Earth, making this the brightest of this year’s supermoons.

“Supermoons look about 8 percent bigger and about 16 percent brighter than an average full moon,” Stardome astronomer Rob Davison said.

Despite the term ‘super’, supermoons aren’t actually that rare – there are usually three or four a year. This year alone has four – one in July, one in September and two in August.

And it’s that second appearance in August which brings us to the ‘blue’ part of the name.

Feeling blue

The second full moon in a calendar month is known as a ‘blue moon’. It’s not clear where the name came from, as it has nothing to do with the moon’s colour, which remains the same. Some accounts link it to the archaic term ‘belewe’, or ‘to betray’, because people using the lunar calendar felt betrayed when a second full moon appeared inside a calendar month.

Oddly enough, whether or not a full moon is ‘blue’ or not differs depending on where you are in the world because it’s based on calendar dates, and – as New Zealanders are especially aware of – not everywhere in the world is experiencing the same date at the same time.

The first full moon this month arrived for Kiwis on the morning of 2 August, and this one will technically reach full moon status at 1.35pm on 31 August, so it counts – but the ‘blue moon’ the US will experience in December 2028, for example, won’t be a blue moon here, because the second full moon won’t kick in until 5.48am on 1 January, 2029 NZT. Sometimes a moon is considered ‘blue’ in some parts of large countries, but not in others.

But as space.com notes, the moon basically looks full for a night before and after the “imperceptible” moment it’s technically full, so it kind of counts regardless.

Blue moons happen on average about once every two-and-a-half-years. Sometimes however, they happen twice in one year – in those years, February misses out on a full moon altogether. NASA says getting a second blue moon in a calendar year only happens about four times a century.

What if I miss this one?

If you miss the super blue moon this Thursday, just how long you’ll have to wait for another depends on who you ask.

See, it’s not just calendar dates that mess up just what constitutes a blue moon – it’s the seasons too. While the common definition of a blue moon is a second full moon in a calendar month, some also consider a third full moon inside a single season with four full moons as a blue moon, even if it didn’t happen inside a calendar month.

That’s why some sites are reporting the next super blue moon, after this one, as taking place in August 2032 on 21 August – though clearly the previous full moon could not also have taken place inside August.

Others – including NASA – use the calendar month definition, so have the next super blue moon as arriving in 2037.

Adding to the confusion is that there might be two of them that year – January and March – depending again on where in the world you live.

Regardless of any ‘colour’ designation, supermoons are an impressive sight – if the weather plays ball.

“The super blue moon will rise towards the east as the sun sets towards the west, and will be visible in the sky for the whole night,” Davison said. “If it’s a clear night, people will be able to see it from all over the country.”

VIA RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

4 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

Latest News

New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

5 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

5 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

rnz