Illinois Closes Out August With Wednesday’s Rare Super Blue Moon

We hear the words "Super Moon" fairly often, but do you know what a Super Moon actually is? According to the people who should know these things, NASA: "A Super Moon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time the Moon is full."

Super Moons are also about 16% brighter and visibly larger-appearing than your average, run-of-the-mill moon. NASA says that the size differential between a "regular" moon and a Super Moon is comparable to the difference between a nickel and a quarter.

That should give you a better idea of what you have a really good chance of seeing if you head outside on Wednesday night around sundown and take a good look around.

Just Because All Of These Moon Photos Are Blue Doesn't Mean That The Super Blue Moon Will Actually Be, Y'know, Blue

I'm not sure why the word "blue" was attached to "moon" to signify the second full moon in a month, but it was. So when you hear "blue moon," grab an orange-infused beer and know that you're about to see the 2nd full moon of the month.

NASA says that when it comes to moons, 25 percent of full moons are Super Moons, but only 3 percent of full moons are blue moons.

You're Probably Wondering What Kind Of Hoops You Have To Jump Through To Get A Look At This Rare Super Blue Moon

I'm happy to break it to you that you really don't have to do much of anything but stay up until the sun sets and maybe a few hours past that to see the Super Blue Moon.

Moonrise will be at 8:35pm on Wednesday night, so just head outside around then and look for the moon. The current forecast calls for clear skies, so viewing should be optimum here in Northern Illinois.

If you needed another enticement to look for the Super Blue Moon on Wednesday night beyond it being the brightest moon of the year, consider that you won't see another blue moon until May of 2026, and you won't see another Super Blue Moon until January of 2037 (followed by a second Super Blue Moon in March of 2037).