Panaji: The coastal state of Goa is set to witness a rare astronomical event on May 31, as a micro blue moon will grace the night sky. This phenomenon, which occurs only two to three times in a century, will make the moon appear slightly smaller than a typical full moon.
What is a Micro Blue Moon?
A blue moon refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month. A micro moon, on the other hand, is an astronomical event where the moon appears smaller than usual because it is at its farthest point from Earth in its monthly orbit, known as apogee. This is the exact opposite of a supermoon, which happens when the moon is at perigee, or its closest point to Earth.
Significance of the Date
This year, the micro blue moon coincides with the leap month of the Indian calendar, called Ashok Jyeshtha Poornima. This full moon occurs only once every four years, adding to the rarity of the event.
Visibility in Goa
While the visibility of the moon might be slightly hampered due to the prevailing monsoon season and cloudy weather conditions, the micro blue moon will still be visible to the naked eye. Residents and visitors in Goa are advised to look up at the sky on the night of May 31 to catch this rare sight.
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