The first of four anticipated supermoons in 2023 has illuminated night skies globally, captivating stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts alike.
In certain regions, this supermoon—also referred to as a blue moon—exhibited a striking red hue, influenced by smoke from wildfires across North America. The presence of smoke particles results in a scattering of light, enhancing the visibility of the orange and red colors within the spectrum.
Blue moons are a rarity, giving rise to the popular saying “once in a blue moon.” This phenomenon underscores the uniqueness of this celestial event.
In addition to the current supermoon, the full moons of September, October, and November are also set to be supermoons, with October’s event expected to be the closest of the year.
