Skywatchers can look forward to some notable lunar events in the coming months, beginning with the full August “sturgeon moon.” This moon marks the first of four consecutive supermoons and also qualifies as a seasonal blue moon.
The full moon will reach its peak at 2:25 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 19. Interestingly, while it’s termed a blue moon, it will not take on a blue hue. It is categorized as a “seasonal blue moon” since it is the third of four full moons in a single season, a rarity occurring every few years.
This summer has four full moons, occurring on June 21, July 21, August 19, and September 17, rather than the usual three. The seasonal blue moon differs from a monthly blue moon, which is defined as the second full moon occurring in a single calendar month, a phenomenon that is less frequent.
NASA experts indicate that monthly blue moons occur approximately every two to three years due to the lunar cycle length of 29.5 days. Thus, some months will start and end with a full moon. Similar to monthly blue moons, seasonal blue moons also happen about once every couple of years, making them uncommon but not extremely rare.
As for the August full moon, it will appear nearly fully illuminated on Sunday night, August 18, shining at 98%. By Monday night, it will be completely illuminated (100%), before receding to 99% on Tuesday night.
In terms of visibility, the near-full moon will rise in the east-southeastern sky around 7:36 p.m. on Sunday in New York City and northern New Jersey, and around 7:38 p.m. in Philadelphia. On Monday, the full supermoon will rise around 8:07 p.m. in New York and Newark, and at about 8:10 p.m. in Philadelphia. By Tuesday, moonrise will occur at 8:34 p.m. in New York and Newark, and at 8:38 p.m. in Philadelphia.
Supermoons are characterized by their proximity to Earth during their full phase, making them appear larger and up to 30% brighter than regular full moons, with varying definitions in the astronomy community. Some classifications state a supermoon occurs when the moon is less than 223,000 miles from Earth.
The full moon in August is commonly referred to as the “sturgeon moon,” named for the sturgeon fish that were plentiful in North American waters during this time. Other names include the “green corn moon” and “grain moon,” as it coincides with the early corn harvest season in certain regions.
For more insights and updates on lunar events, readers may reach out to Len Melisurgo at the provided contact details.