x
Breaking News
More () »

Northwest interior to see clear skies for seasonal blue moon Saturday

The northwest interior and eastern Washington have the best chances of seeing a seasonal blue moon this weekend.

Skywatchers will get to see a blue moon next month, but not the one you typically hear talked about. This one is a seasonal blue moon and it is rarer.

The most popular definition of blue moon is the second full moon in a single calendar month. A seasonal blue moon, which will happen on Saturday, is the third of four full moons in a single season. It happens once every two to three years because most seasons only have three full moons.

When the first full moon of a season falls just after an equinox or solstice, there is a good chance you will have four full moons in that season.

The spring equinox, marking the start of spring, was on March 20. The first full moon of this spring came the day after that on March 21. It was followed by another on April 19.  After the May 18 seasonal blue moon, there will be one last full moon on June 17. That's four days before the summer solstice on June 21, marking the start of summer.

However, a blue moon does not mean the moon will turn the color blue.

Viewing conditions will be varied across Washington. The coast and southwest interior will probably have clouds Saturday night, according to KING 5 Meteorologist Ben Dery. However, the Puget Sound region will have fair conditions, and the northwest interior and eastern Washington offer the best chances for clear skies.

Credit: KING

While you're out looking at the seasonal blue moon, be sure to keep an eye out for the International Space Station. It will be flying west to east on Friday between 10:25 p.m. and 10:33 p.m. and again Saturday from 11:10 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. The space station will look like a bright light moving across the night sky.

The next seasonal blue moon after this will occur on August 22, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out