The Super Blue Moon on August 19, 2024, is the largest and brightest full moon of the year, known as the Blue Moon. Many residents in Ho Chi Minh City took the opportunity to capture this fascinating astronomical phenomenon.
According to the Hanoi Astronomy Association, on the evening of August 19 and the early morning of August 20, the Moon will be directly opposite the Earth, fully illuminated by the Sun. This phase will occur at 1:27 AM on August 20 (Vietnam time).
This full moon was first called the Sturgeon Moon by Native American tribes because sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes and other large lakes are easier to catch during this time of year.
In Ho Chi Minh City, many astronomy enthusiasts and photographers also seized the chance to capture images of the “Super Blue Moon”, the largest and brightest of the year.
Among them, Mr. Dao Tran Thai found an excellent spot to capture images of the “Super Blue Moon” while also encompassing a part of Saigon. He successfully photographed the Moon in various hues at different times, which delighted many viewers.
Super Blue Moon over Saigon. (Photo: Dao Tran Thai).
Although referred to as the “Super Blue Moon,” you will notice that the full moon in August appears slightly orange, with varying hues depending on the observation area. Two phenomena contribute to this unusual orange color.
First, summer moons tend to hang low in the sky, so the moons in May, June, July, August, and possibly even September rise near the horizon, forcing us to view them through a thicker layer of atmosphere as they ascend.
This atmospheric layer acts like a prism, causing light scattering, making the Moon appear slightly more reddish than usual.
If you observe the Moon at sunset during other months, you will also see it has a pink-orange hue, while when the Moon is higher, it usually has a bright silvery glow.
The second reason is that if the atmosphere you are looking through is polluted by dust, especially smoke from summer wildfires, this orange color will appear even darker.
Although called the “Super Blue Moon,” the full moon in August appears slightly orange. (Photo: Dao Tran Thai).
The largest and most orange supermoon can be observed at sunset on August 19. (Photo: Dao Tran Thai).
The Super Moon on the night of August 19 is the largest and brightest full moon of 2024, known as the Blue Moon. In reality, the Moon is not blue as some may think; it is simply a name. (Photo: Dao Tran Thai).
The Super Moon at 6:30 PM viewed from an apartment in Phu My Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Huu Cong).
Super Moon over an areca garden in Quang Ngai City, at 8:10 PM on August 19, captured using the milkyway mode of an iPhone 13 mini. (Photo: Pham Linh).
Super Moon photographed in Vung Tau at 8 PM on August 19. (Photo: Dang Khoa).
