The super blue moon dazzled spectators around the world in August, 2023.

What is a blue moon?

Unlike what the name suggests, a blue moon is not actually blue in color. Rather, it signifies the second full moon within a single month — hence the phrase, “once in a blue moon.”  

What is a supermoon?

The “supermoon” occurs when the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time the moon is full. While around 25% of full moons are supermoons, just 3% of full moons are blue moons, according to NASA. 

The next blue moon will happen in May, 2026 and the next super blue moon, will be even longer — until January and March, 2037.