Keen astronomy fans are in for an absolute treat this week, as a rare Super Blue Moon is set to be visible in UK skies.
And no Manchester City fans, we’re not talking about that kind of blue moon.
Despite what one half of the city may think, this kind of blue moon, surprisingly, has absolutely nothing to do with the colour, as in astrology, the term ‘Blue Moon’ dates back to the 1940s, and is a name that’s given to second of two full moons that fall in a calendar month.
This week’s Blue Moon follows the equally-spectacular Sturgeon Moon, which you may remember was meant to be visible right at the start of August… but the classic Greater Manchester weather had other ideas.
Predicted to be one of the “brightest and largest” moons of 2023, this week’s Blue Moon – just like the Sturgeon Moon – will also be a supermoon, meaning it will occur during a period when the moon is closer to the Earth, which makes it appear “almost imperceptibly larger” in the sky, according to Space.com and NASA.
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A Super Blue Moon will light up UK skies this week / Credit: Tom Lee (via Flickr)
So, when exactly will the Super Blue Moon rise this week? And when should you be looking up to the sky for the best view?
Well, according to In the Sky, the Super Blue Moon will rise at 23:10 GMT on Wednesday (30 August) from the eastern horizon, but this won’t actually be when it is at its biggest and brightest, however.
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The exact moment of full moon is defined as the point at which the moon is 180 degrees from the sun and is completely opposite Earth.
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Hundreds of katsu curries are being given out for FREE in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of katsu curries are being dished up and given out for free in Manchester this week, but only for certain people.
And those lucky people will be students.
That’s right… a new semester is upon us, and thousands of freshers and returning students are descending on the city and Manchester‘s many universities for another year. But the life of a student isn’t exactly the cheapest sometimes, especially for those who haven’t had to live on a budget before moving out or into halls.
But to make things a little easier, Tampopo has announced it’ll be serving hundreds of one of its most popular dishes for free this week.
Tampopo is celebrating National Katsu Curry Day in the most delicious way possible, by giving away 700 Katsu Curries with rice for free, exclusively to freshers and students this Sunday (27 September).
Whether you’re brand new to the city, settling back into uni life, or you’re simply in need of a katsu fix, students can head to their nearest participating Tampopo and tuck into a hearty meal without needing to spend a penny.
100 katsu curries will be available each from 12-2pm at both Tampopo restaurants in Manchester city centre – which are on Albert Square, and in the Corn Exchange – or if you head over to the Trafford Centre, both the Tampopo there and the East Street sites are taking part.
“[Our] Katsu Curry has long been one of our most-loved dishes, so National Katsu Curry Day felt like the perfect excuse to give students a proper welcome to the new academic year,” Tampopo said in a statement.
So, are you feeling hungry then? The offer is exclusively available for takeaway only to freshers and students with a valid student ID, which they must present on collection.
100 portions are available at each participating location, and just one free katsu curry with rice will be available per person.
Emily Sergeant -
29th August 2023 
