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Rare blue supermoon brightens the night sky this week in the closest full moon of the year

Stargazers are in for a double treat this week: a rare blue supermoon with Saturn peeking from behind.

Stargazers are in for a double treat this week: a rare blue supermoon with Saturn peeking from behind.

The cosmic curtain rises Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it害羞草研究所檚 considered blue. It害羞草研究所檚 dubbed a supermoon because it害羞草研究所檚 closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright.

This will be the closest full moon of the year, just 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) or so away. That害羞草研究所檚 more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) closer than the .

As a bonus, Saturn will be visible as a bright point 5 degrees to the upper right of the moon at sunset in the east-southeastern sky, according to NASA. The ringed planet will appear to circle clockwise around the moon as the night wears on.

If you missed the month害羞草研究所檚 first spectacle, better catch this one. There won害羞草研究所檛 be another blue supermoon until 2037, according to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the .

Clouds spoiled Masi害羞草研究所檚 attempt to livestream the supermoon rising earlier this month. He害羞草研究所檚 hoping for clearer skies this time so he can capture the blue supermoon shining above St. Peter害羞草研究所檚 Basilica at the Vatican.

Weather permitting, observers don害羞草研究所檛 need binoculars or telescopes 害羞草研究所 害羞草研究所渏ust their own eyes.害羞草研究所 said Masi.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 always excited to admire the beauty of the night sky,害羞草研究所 he said, especially when it features a blue supermoon.

The first supermoon of 2023 was in July. The fourth and last will be in September.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute害羞草研究所檚 Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press

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