About a quarter of all full moons are classified as Super Moons, while only 3 percent of full moons are Blue Moons.
Super Moons are known as the largest and brightest lunar events of the year.
How is a Super Moon defined?
The Moon's orbit around the Earth follows an elliptical path, not a perfect circle.
According to NASA, the Moon's closest point to Earth, at an average distance of 363,300 kilometers, is called the satellite's perigee point.
Noah Petro, head of NASA's Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory, said there are different definitions of Super Moons.
However, a full moon within 90 percent of the perigee point is generally defined as a Super Moon.
When the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, it can appear about 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than at the planet's farthest point, at apogee.
This distance is about 405,500 kilometers.
Super Moon visible with the naked eye
NASA describes Super Moons as significantly brighter than other full moons that can be observed throughout the year.
The Super Moon is visible to the naked eye and does not require a special location to view.
The Moon will rise throughout the night, reaching its highest point just before sunrise.
NASA describes Super Moons as significantly brighter than other full moons that can be observed throughout the year.
The Super Moon is visible to the naked eye and does not require a special location to view.
The Moon will rise throughout the night, reaching its highest point just before sunrise.
“As long as the sky is cloudless and you have a clear view, you will be able to see the Moon,” said Shannon Schmoll, Director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. The Moon is so bright that you don't need to go anywhere special to see it.”
According to data provided by NASA, Super Moons are 30 percent brighter than normal full moons, so they are easier to observe.
Super moons also cause higher than normal tides because they are closer to Earth.
What are the Blue Moon and Crane Moon?
Although it has been known as the Blue Moon since 1528, tonight the Moon will not be blue in color.
The seasonal Blue Moon is usually defined as the third full moon in an astronomical season with four full moons.
In the 1930s, the Maine Farmer's Almanac began giving full moons names that corresponded to events in nature.
These names have been widely used and recognized ever since.
For example, the full moon in August was called the Crane Moon by the Algonquin tribes.
