On Wednesday, August 30, 2023, a rare super blue moon delighted observers in Indonesian skies. The moon appeared larger than usual as it reached its closest point to Earth, creating a captivating celestial display. Adding to the spectacle, the planet Saturn shone alongside the full moon.

The Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory in Cikini played a vital role in facilitating this lunar phenomenon for the public. They invited skywatchers to witness the extraordinary sight, which, despite its name, doesn't actually appear blue, through telescopes and participate in discussions about the event.

M. Rayhan, the coordinator of the event, highlighted that many people lack awareness about celestial occurrences and their various phenomena. Observing and comprehending these occurrences remains a challenge for many individuals.

"To provide the public with accurate and reliable information, we organized discussion sessions and observation activities instead of traditional seminars," Rayhan explained on Tuesday, August 28.

The lunar observation and discussion event took place on Wednesday, August 30, from 19:00 to 22:00 Jakarta time at the Plaza Theater Jakarta, Taman Ismail Marzuki. To facilitate the public's engagement, the organizers set up 10 telescopes, allowing visitors to take turns viewing the unique super blue moon, the second full moon of August.

Due to immense interest from the public, the Jakarta Planetarium also arranged a mini planetarium experience. During the 2023 Jakarta Astronomy Week, tickets for the mini planetarium were swiftly sold out within just 5 minutes. In response to this demand, the mini planetarium was scheduled for six sessions, each accommodating 18 people. Remarkably, all 108 free tickets were fully claimed within a mere one-minute window of availability.

The Jakarta Planetarium's efforts not only provided a fascinating opportunity for people to witness the celestial wonder of the super blue moon but also underlined the significance of promoting accurate astronomical education and engagement within the community.