View of Wednesday night’s Blue Moon above Overlook Park obscured by an interesting cloud formation that produced some nice crepuscular rays. According to solarsystem.nasa.gov, the Blue Moon appeared opposite the Sun (in Earth-based longitude) at 9:36 p.m. EDT Wednesday. The planet Saturn appeared near the Moon. Publications use different thresholds for deciding which Moons qualify as ‘super’, but all agree that in 2023 the two full Moons in August qualify. It is called a Blue Moon by the newer definition introduced by Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946. The older definition of Blue Moon, dating back to at least the 1500s, is the name for the third full Moon in a season that has four Moons. By this definition, the full Moon in August 2024 will be the Blue Moon. To learn about a time when the Moon actually turned blue, click here. Photo by LAHS 9th grader Hudson Bathrick-Price
The Full Moon Tuesday night viewed from Los Alamos as it approaches Wednesday’s Blue Moon. Photo by Zjael C Millard
The Blue Moon viewed Wednesday night from Eastern Area. Photo by Ron Roybal
The Blue Moon shining behind clouds viewed Wednesday night from Eastern Area. Photo by Ron Roybal
The Blue Moon viewed Wednesday night from the back yard of a residence in Eastern Area. Photo by Ron Roybal
The Blue Moon shining Wednesday night viewed from Eastern Area. Photo by Ron Roybal
A bird flies in front of the Blue Moon Wednesday night viewed from Los Alamos. Photo by Tariq Aslam
The Blue Moon rising over the Santa Fe Ski Hill Wednesday night viewed from Los Alamos. Photo by Tariq Aslam
