PANAJI
Skywatchers in Goa are set to witness a rare astronomical event tonight as a ‘Micro Blue Moon’ appears in the night sky. The phenomenon will make the Moon appear slightly smaller than a typical full moon and is considered an uncommon celestial occurrence.
In an official letter Satish Nayak, President of the Association of Friends of Astronomy, Goa explained that a ‘Blue Moon’ refers to the second full moon occurring within a calendar month, while a ‘Micro Moon’ occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon being near its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, known as the apogee.
“This is a condition exactly opposite to a Supermoon, when the full moon happens at the farthest point of the Moon's monthly orbit at a point called the Apogee,” said President Satish Nayak.
The event gains added significance this year as it coincides with Adhik Jyeshtha Purnima, the full moon of the intercalary or leap month in the Indian lunar calendar, which occurs only once every four years. The convergence of these astronomical and calendar events makes the sighting particularly unusual.
According to astronomy enthusiasts, such combinations are exceptionally rare and occur only infrequently over long periods. However, observers may face challenges due to prevailing monsoon-like weather conditions and cloud cover across Goa, which could affect visibility of the Moon.
Nayak said the phenomenon can be viewed without any special equipment. Members of the public can observe the Micro Blue Moon with the naked eye from any location across Goa, provided weather conditions permit a clear view of the sky.
