(Iowa City, IA) -- Iowans will get to enjoy a full super blue moon tonight. Assistant Professor Casey DeRoo of the University of Iowa's Physics and Astronomy Department says the infrequent occurrence is caused by two factors, a blue moon and the fact the moon is orbiting abut 5% closer to earth right now. The result is a brighter-appearing moon. DeRoo says the moon will be at its brightest around 10 p.m. Iowa time.
DeRoo says there were two blue moons this month, which only happens as the saying goes, "once in a blue moon" -or every 2-3 years. The Super blue moon won't occur again until 2037. The next series of supermoons will be in late 2024.
He also says the brightness of the moon will overshadow Saturn, making it appear as a faint star above and to the right of the moon.
Tonight is the apex, but DeRoo says if you miss it tonight, Thursday night's moon show should also be impressive.