Stargazers are in for a double treat this week: a rare blue supermoon with Saturn peeking from behind.

The cosmic curtain rises Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason itB次元官网网址檚 considered blue. ItB次元官网网址檚 dubbed a supermoon because itB次元官网网址檚 closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright.

This will be the closest full moon of the year, just 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) or so away. ThatB次元官网网址檚 more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) closer than the .

As a bonus, Saturn will be visible as a bright point 5 degrees to the upper right of the moon at sunset in the east-southeastern sky, according to NASA. The ringed planet will appear to circle clockwise around the moon as the night wears on.

If you missed the monthB次元官网网址檚 first spectacle, better catch this one. There wonB次元官网网址檛 be another blue supermoon until 2037, according to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the .

Clouds spoiled MasiB次元官网网址檚 attempt to livestream the supermoon rising earlier this month. HeB次元官网网址檚 hoping for clearer skies this time so he can capture the blue supermoon shining above St. PeterB次元官网网址檚 Basilica at the Vatican.

Weather permitting, observers donB次元官网网址檛 need binoculars or telescopes B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渏ust their own eyes.B次元官网网址� said Masi.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always excited to admire the beauty of the night sky,B次元官网网址� he said, especially when it features a blue supermoon.

The first supermoon of 2023 was in July. The fourth and last will be in September.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical InstituteB次元官网网址檚 Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press