Over 100 elegant cars glistened in Moon Township for the second annual Wings, Wheels, and Wishes car cruise on Sunday to raise money for Make-A-Wish children from local Make-A-Wish chapters.
On Friday evening and into Saturday morning, as evening twilight ends, the setting Moon will appear near Spica, and Saturn can also be seen nearby.
Full Moon
On Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Moon will reach its complete phase when 100% of its surface is illuminated by sunlight. Full Moons are one of the most memorable lunar events, taking 29.5 days from the new Moon to the Full Moon and back again.
At full moon, Earth and the moon are closer than at any other time throughout the year, creating an illusion that makes the moon look larger and brighter than usual. This moon is known as a Supermoon because its closest approach occurs close to when the Moon passes closest by Earth during its orbital path.
At this time, the Moon will appear approximately 17,000 miles closer than usual, making it appear larger and brighter. This rare lunar event usually only occurs once every couple of years.
This moon also marks Purim, which will be observed from sunset on Monday, March 6, through nightfall on Tuesday, March 7. Purim commemorates the Jewish people’s deliverance from an imperial death decree during the fourth century BCE, as told in Esther’s Book. Festivities during Purim typically include feasting, giving gifts of food and drinks to friends and strangers, donating to charity, wearing your best kippot, and giving thanks.
Waxing Crescent
The Waxing Crescent moon phase follows closely after the New Moon. Here, its illuminated portion gradually grows from a small fraction to nearly half. Each night, as you gaze upon this crescent glinting in your night sky, its glow may bring hope and optimism, inspiring you to take another step toward reaching your goals or learning something new! It is also an ideal opportunity for contemplating cosmetics or beauty products or learning a new subject.
Note that although a waxing crescent moon’s illuminated side may be facing toward the sun, this does not indicate an eclipse is taking place – only an eclipse can take place when both sun and moon are aligned directly, something which cannot happen with waxing crescent moons.
This moon phase is often called “a call to action,” as it can motivate people to take steps forward in their lives. Take charge and implement your plans during this phase; use your energy to meet new friends and romantic partners or form business partnerships; this phase also offers excellent opportunities to focus on self-care through meditation or exercise.
Supermoon
This week’s full moon will appear larger and brighter than usual due to a phenomenon known as a Supermoon. A Supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth in its orbit – known as perigee. On Wednesday night at Perigee, our satellite will be approximately 17,000 miles more packed than usual, which causes it to appear larger than average and brighter from our point of view on Earth.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that the Buck Supermoon will rise approximately one hour after sunset on Monday, July 3, and reach its maximum brightness at 7:39 am ET on July 4. It will serve as the backdrop for many fireworks shows across the nation before Independence Day celebrations.
This will be one of four Supermoons this year and the first of two that will occur this month; another one will occur on Sept. 10. To be considered a Supermoon, one doesn’t necessarily need to see it directly from their location on Earth; but for maximum effect, it is best seen rising in the East as seen through binoculars or telescopes.
At nightfall, the full moon will appear close to Antares in the Scorpia constellation. It will appear half a degree to its right; Antares will appear before disappearing behind dark lunar limbs an hour or two after evening twilight ends; its reappearance should happen about 14 minutes later, but you might miss it altogether.
Blue Moon
This month, stargazers, astronomy nerds, and photographers can look forward to three spectacular cosmic phenomena – a Blue Moon, Supermoon, and lunar eclipse. But what do these mean exactly? “Blue Moon” refers to two separate lunar phenomena; commonly used usage refers to it as two full moons in any given calendar month; alternatively, it occurs when a full Moon coincides with a meteor shower or another natural event producing a visible shadow on the Moon’s surface.
Modern notions of “Blue Moons” emerged during the 1940s, popularized by an article published in Sky & Telescope magazine in 1943. The writer misinterpreted an entry in the Maine Farmers Almanac that incorrectly noted a full moon occurring 13 times a year as rare.
Blue Moons are exceptionally rare. This hue doesn’t depend on lunar phases or calendar events; rather, its shade can be due to atmospheric conditions; for instance, high dust concentration or smoke in the atmosphere or water droplets dispersing red light and giving off its characteristic glow can all cause its hue to shift towards blue.
This month’s Blue Moon will appear larger and brighter than usual due to its proximity to Earth – it occurs at perigee, the closest point on its orbit – up to 14 percent larger than at apogee (its farthest point from us).
Sturgeon Moon
August brings two full moons for skywatchers to enjoy; the Sturgeon Moon will peak on Tuesday afternoon, while another notable supermoon (Blue Moon and Supermoon) is due on Wednesday, August 30.
Both will be breathtaking to witness. Additionally, the Sturgeon Moon will be one of four full moons occurring in 2023 that qualify as supermoons – meaning it will appear larger and brighter than usual due to an elliptical orbit that brings it closer to Earth from time to time.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s lunar calendar of names includes an intriguing lunar event called “Sturgeon Moon,” so named because Algonquin tribes believed giant sturgeon were more accessible to catch during this season in North American lakes like Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.
The Blue Moon will make for an impressive sight, provided the skies are clear enough for viewing. Its extra light can illuminate features such as lunar maria – dark plains on the moon’s surface – and rays from craters, while binoculars will help enhance this experience by providing closer views.
Esala Poya
Esala Poya is one of the holiest days for Sri Lanka’s Buddhists, commemorating several significant moments from Gautama Buddha’s life – including his conception in Queen Mahamaya’s womb, the birth of Prince Rahula and the great renunciation that saw him abandon his palace to find out the cause of suffering.
Esala Poya’s centerpiece event is Kandy Esala Perahera, an elegant parade featuring exquisitely decorated elephants and traditional dancers as part of a lively cultural display that attracts domestic and foreign tourists alike.
Esala Poya commemorates both King Dutugemunu’s foundation-laying for Ruwanvelisaya dagoba by King Dutugemunu and the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic into Sri Lanka, making this holiday in Sri Lanka highly celebrated and reflective of Buddha’s teachings. People gather together on this special day in Sri Lankan society and reflect upon his wisdom through celebration.
Esala Poya helps preserve and uphold Sri Lanka’s cultural traditions while honoring Buddhist religious beliefs and creating a sense of community unity amongst residents. Much like Eid honors Muslim beliefs and Christmas celebrates Christian ones, Esala Poya allows Buddhists to renew their faith and strengthen spirituality while at the same time taking pride in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage as an island nation with stunning cultural offerings that visitors flock to every year in search of inner peace and artistic exploration.
