This month’s full moon will peak on Monday just before 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be the first of the supermoons this year.
What You Need To Know
- August’s full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon thanks to abundant lake sturgeon that was caught in the Great Lakes in late summer
- This is the start of a string of supermoons that will commence in November
- The moon will look “super-sized”
Nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon, it will appear larger and brighter than the other full moons seen thus far this year.
What’s a Supermoon?
“A supermoon is when Earth’s lunar sister’s orbit is at its closest to the planet and when it is full,” explains Spectrum News’ space expert Anthony Leone.
Adding, “We don’t always get them because the moon’s orbit is more of an oval. So, when the moon is at its closest orbit to Earth, called a perigee, we get a supermoon.”
This Moon is Considered a “Blue Moon”, But What Does it Mean?
This moon is also considered a “Blue Moon,” which has nothing to do with the color. According to NASA, the third full moon that occurs in a season that has four full moons denotes the third one as a seasonal Blue Moon. A monthly Blue Moon would be the second full moon that occurs during the month.
Alternative Names for August’s Full Moon
According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.
The full moon was dubbed the Sturgeon Moon thanks to the abundant native freshwater fish caught during late summer in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. These prehistoric-looking fish provided an important staple for Native Americans in that region.
There are nearly 30 species of sturgeon worldwide, including the lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes. The sizes of these fish have evolved from the size of a bass to the size of a car. Unfortunately, due to overfishing in the 19th century, pollution and habitat damage, the lake sturgeon is rare.
About Alternative Moon Names
According to the farmer’s almanac, names of moons corresponded with entire lunar months and were derived from Native American, Colonial American and European sources.
<h2.More Supermoons?
If you can’t witness this month’s supermoon, Leone says there will be plenty more opportunities. “We will get a celestial treat this year. We will get four supermoons in a row, from August through November,”
This Won’t be the Only Chance to Witness a Partial Lunar Eclipse This Year
According to Leone, September’s supermoon will be extra special. “It will also fall on a partial lunar eclipse. This will give the moon a bit of a reddish color to it and that’s because of the way Earth’s atmosphere refracts light.”
More Resources
- Get an accurate weather forecast of when clouds will clear here!
Conclusion
This month’s supermoon is a spectacular astronomical event that will illuminate the night sky. Those lucky enough to witness its passing will see a much bigger and brighter moon, perfect for amateur astronomers of all ages. With August just being the start, expect many more supermoon chances this year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
| Q:
What is the time and date of August’s supermoon? |
A. Monday, [date at peak], around 2:30 pm Eastern Standard Time </br/> |
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