The Blue Moon in August 2023 will occur in just one week, giving skywatchers another supermoon this month. The blue moon will rise on the night of August 30. Look east just after sunset to find it; It will not be difficult to spot, as it will be the brightest and largest month of the year. This Moon is notable for several reasons: First, it’s not just a full moon, it’s also a Blue Moon, the third full moon in a season with four full moons. according to NASA.

The Blue Moon is the second full moon to occur this month, after the Sturgeon Full Moon, which rose on August 1 and led to stunning astrophotographs from around the world. Additionally, this Blue Moon is also a supermoon, meaning it coincides with perigee, the point in the Moon’s orbit where it is closest to Earth. For observers on the ground, this means it will appear slightly larger than normal, but only 7% larger. This size difference will probably not be noticeable to the naked eye.

The blue moon in August 2023 will be accompanied by a special guest in the sky: Saturn. In just a few days, the ringed gas giant will cross its opposition, the point directly opposite the sun as seen from Earth, making it particularly bright in the night sky.

As seen from New York, Saturn will be in the constellation Aquarius, above and to the right of the Moon. But in the southern hemisphere, Saturn will appear below the Moon. Blue Moons occur relatively frequently, from an astronomical point of view, every two or three years. The last Blue Moon occurred in August 2021 and the next one is expected in August 2024.

Our best binoculars guide is a great starting point if you’re hoping to see the closest Blue Moon up close. If you’re looking to take a closer look at the features of the lunar surface, our guide to the best telescopes will help you find the optical equipment you need.

But if you want to photograph the moon or the night sky in general, check out our best astrophotography cameras and best astrophotography lenses, along with our guides on how to photograph the moon.