Stargazers can look forward to several astronomical events in the coming months, beginning with the full “sturgeon moon” in August. This moon marks the first of four consecutive supermoons and will also serve as a seasonal blue moon.
The full moon is set to occur at 2:25 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, August 19. Despite its designation as a blue moon, it will not appear blue; it is termed a “seasonal blue moon” because it is the third of four full moons in a single season, a rare occurrence. The summer season started on June 20 and will conclude on September 22, encompassing four full moons instead of the usual three. The full moons this summer will fall on June 21, July 21, August 19, and September 17.
In contrast, a “monthly blue moon” is defined as the second full moon in a single calendar month, which does not apply to August. Experts at NASA note that monthly blue moons appear approximately once every two to three years due to the lunar cycle taking about 29.5 days. This rarity allows for a month to occasionally start and end with a full moon. Similarly, seasonal blue moons are infrequent but occur every two to three years.
This August’s full moon will rise nearly full at 7:36 p.m. on Sunday in the New York City and northern New Jersey areas, followed by a full illumination on Monday night. The moon will rise at 8:07 p.m. on Monday and at 8:34 p.m. on Tuesday in the same region. In Philadelphia, the moon will rise at approximately the same times on those nights.
Supermoons are full moons that occur when the moon’s orbit is closer to Earth than average, resulting in a moon that appears larger and up to 30% brighter. The definitions of a supermoon can vary, with some astronomers considering a supermoon to be one that is within 223,000 miles from Earth during its full phase.
The August full moon is commonly known as the “sturgeon moon,” a name rooted in Native American traditions, as sturgeons were plentiful in lakes and rivers at this time of year. Alternative names include the “green corn moon” and the “grain moon,” which also relate to the agricultural season.
This informative celestial event is something many people look forward to witnessing, providing a chance to appreciate the wonders of the night sky.