There Will Be 13 Full Moons, 2 Supermoons And 1 Blue Moon In 2020—here’s How You Can See Them All
Most years have 12 full moons — one every month. That’s because the moon takes a little under a month, or 29 1/2 days, to complete a cycle from full moon to full moon. In 2020, however, observant skywatchers will be able to see 13 full moons, two of which
Posted — UpdatedMost years have 12 full moons — one every month.
That’s because the moon takes a little under a month, or 29 1/2 days, to complete a cycle from full moon to full moon.
A supermoon looks slightly larger in the sky because the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest point to Earth.
This year’s supermoons will both occur in the spring — back to back. The first supermoon occurs on March 9, and observers will see the second on on April 7.
Technically, the moon is slightly closer and will appear larger in April, but even the most perceptive observers won’t be able to tell a size difference between the two supermoons.
While back-to-back supermoons may sound impressive, the real rarity occurs in the fall: a blue moon. A blue moon is the second full moon in a single month, and they occur about every 2 1/2 years.
This year, October has two full moons, and the blue moon falls on Halloween — a rare occurrence that won’t happen again until 2039.
Did you know the full moons have names? These mostly originate from Native American tribes or, in some cases, medieval Europeans. The dates and names for every full moon in 2020 are:
January’s full moon is named after the howling wolves.
This is the first supermoon of the year, and the March full moon is always referred to as the worm moon because of the earthworms that begin to emerge at the end of winter.
This is the second and final supermoon of 2020, and April’s full moon is named for the pink flowers that bloom in early spring.
The September full moon is typically the Harvest Moon, named for the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. This year, however, that name goes to October’s full moon, an event that only occurs about every three years.
The second full moon in a month, and it’s happening on Halloween. This rare occurrence only happens every 2 1/2 years.
November’s full moon coincides with the time to set beaver traps before swamps froze, ensuring a steady supply of warm winter furs.
Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere, and the cold weather begins.
This year is sure to be a delight all around for skywatchers and fans of the moon!
Copyright 2024 Simplemost. All rights reserved.