A perigean full moon, also known as a “rare blue supermoon,” blessed the region with its presence overnight from Aug. 30-31, 2023. During a perigean full moon, Earth’s lunar parnter is both at its closest orbit around earth for the year at the same time as a full moon. 

According to NASA, the moon can orbit anywhere from 226,000 to 251,000 miles from Earth. During the year, only 3-4 qualify as “supermoons,” according to astronomers. During the most recent event, the moon appeared about 8% larger and 15% brighter than a normal full moon.

The “blue” portion of the nickname has little to do with color — instead it is based on frequency. A “blue moon” is when two full moons appear during the same calendar month, which happens about every 2.5 years. Blue supermoons are much more rare, however. The last appeared in December of 2009, and the next one won’t appear until January 2037.