'Once in a blue moon' isn't quite as rare as the saying makes it seem. A blue moon is just a second full moon during the course of a month. But this week we will see a rare occurrence. A super blue moon!

According to the Des Moines Register, anyone with a clear view of the moon on Wednesday night will notice that it seems brighter and bigger than normal. That is because the moon will be closer to the Earth than at any other time this year. That is the 'super' part. The 'blue' part has nothing to do with color, all although how cool would that be? It just happens to be the second full moon during the month of August. But the two things don't happen at the same time very often.

via Unsplash
via Unsplash
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The Register reports that the experts at NASA say a super blue moon happens about once every 10 years when the second full moon of the month is closest to the Earth in its orbit. After Wednesday's super blue moon NASA says we won't see another one for 14 years, when it happens in January and March of 2037. That makes Wednesday night must see moon viewing!

The Register reports that the super blue moon will be visible Wednesday night. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that the moon's peak will happen at around 8:36 p.m. Iowa time. It will be the closest and brightest supermoon of the year. Happy moon gazing!

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