The Year of Supermoons: Everything You Need to Know About Them
- Strawberry Moon on June 14Â
- Buck Moon on July 13
- Flower Moon on May 16
- Sturgeon Moon on August 12
- Frosty Moon on November 8
Let’s take an in-depth look at supermoons, blood moons, and more.
What Are Supermoons, Anyways?
Well, that depends on who you ask! There are varying definitions among astronomers and publications, although the differences are slight.Â
To put it simply, a supermoon is when a full moon is closest to the Earth, resulting in a radiant full moon that appears larger and brighter than a typical full moon. So, when it comes to keeping your eyes peeled for the supermoons 2022 will bring, be sure to check the date if you notice the moon looks especially, well, super!
In 2022, there will be two supermoons, but there could technically be four, depending on which definition you go by. NASA considers the moon’s closest point, or perigee, to be 226,000 miles from Earth, while other astronomers and researchers say 223,000 miles. Still others say that a supermoon happens when the full moon is within 90% of its closest distance to Earth.
The majority of experts use a distance of 223,000-226,000 miles as a qualification for being a supermoon, so by that definition, there will be two supermoons in 2022—the Strawberry Moon on June 14th and the Buck Moon on July 13th (dates may vary slightly depending on your time zone).Â
However, if you go by the aforementioned 90% definition, you could say there are four supermoons in 2022, with the Flower Moon occurring on May 16th and the Sturgeon Moon on August 12th.
Are Blood Moons the Same as Supermoons?
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It’s worth noting that what’s sometimes called a “blood supermoon” is actually a different phenomenon than a supermoon—although still quite super and definitely worth observing! A blood moon is when the moon is in a total lunar eclipse, meaning the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching it, resulting in the moon taking on a reddish-orange hue.
In addition to the two (or four) supermoons 2022 has in store, there will be two blood moons. One is the aforementioned Flower Moon on May 16th, and the other is the Frosty Moon on November 8th. If you’re fascinated by the supermoon phenomenon, be sure to mark your calendars for these blood moons too!Â
How Do Supermoons Happen?
Have you ever noticed how the moon seems to shrink and grow over time? That’s because the moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, but an oval shape called an ellipse. The farthest point of the orbit is approximately 253,000 miles away and is called the apogee. The closest point of the orbit is approximately 226,000 miles away and is called the perigee.Â
In other words, when you observe supermoons in 2022, the moon is actually closer to the perigee, and when the moon appears smaller, it’s closer to the apogee.Â
How Do Supermoons Affect the Earth?
Because the ocean’s tides are directly affected by the moon’s gravitational pull, a supermoon creates higher high tides and lower low tides. In some cases—especially when exacerbated by low atmospheric pressure that can lead to storms and surges of waves—coastal flooding can occur.
Contact Us for Expert Assistance
If you’re as excited about the supermoon phenomenon as we are, now is the time to prepare for the upcoming supermoons in 2022! Our team is happy to help you select the best products for viewing the moon, so please don’t hesitate to send us an email at support@rainbowsymphony.com. Celebrate celestial magic with Rainbow Symphony!
