The August full moon, sometimes called the Sturgeon moon, will shine more brightly and appear larger than normal on August 19.
What Is the Sturgeon moon?
The name Sturgeon Moon comes from Native American tribes, who named each full moon to reflect activities or natural events that were important to them during that particular time of year.
The August full moon was named the Sturgeon Moon because it coincides with the time of year when sturgeon fish were historically most plentiful and easiest to catch in the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water in North America.
The January full moon was called the Wolf Moon, the March moon the Worm Moon, and the September moon the Harvest Moon.
The first of four supermoons in a row is about to illuminate the night sky. Supermoons are extremely rare.
On August 19, the August full moon—also referred to as the Sturgeon moon—will appear larger than usual and shine brighter.
In a unique astronomical quadruple feature, the full moons in September, October, and November will also be supermoons.
About a year ago, on September 29, 2023, there was a previous full supermoon.
The August Supermoon: How to See It.
At 2:26 p.m., the moon will be at its fullest. me. ET on the designated day, but the moon will be opposite the U.S. s. at that time, so eager viewers will need to bide their time until moonrise.
Concerning the U. s. The supermoon will rise over the East Coast around 8 p.m. M. local time, rising roughly one-third of the way through the sky and setting at roughly seven in the morning. It is located in the east-southeast skies. me. in the southwest and west.
Because of an optical illusion, the supermoon usually looks its best at moonrise or moonset, when it is closest to the horizon.
Gianluca Masi, an astronomer with the Virtual Telescope Project, previously told Newsweek, “During the twilight, the residual solar light scattered all around by our atmosphere allows us to admire the scenery, while the full moon rises or sets.”.
Moreover, the moon gives the impression that its disk is larger than usual when it sets and rises because it hides behind landscape features and monuments. Nonetheless, this is merely an optical illusion brought about by the earthly objects in our field of vision that our brain compares. “.
Through the night, the moon ought to be plainly visible throughout the U.S. s. , unless it’s cloudy outside. Look for a place, like a beach, hill, or open field, where you can see the horizon clearly. Your view may be obscured by structures, trees, and other obstructions. Try to find a place where there aren’t any city lights. The moon will appear brighter in a darker sky.
While a telescope or binoculars can help you see more details on the moon’s surface, like craters, you don’t need any equipment to enjoy a supermoon.
A Supermoon: What Is It?
The term “supermoon” was first used in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle to describe full moons that occur when the moon is at its closest point to Earth; it is not a term used in science.
The moon’s orbit around us is slightly oval or elliptical rather than a perfect circle. When the moon reaches its perigee, or closest point to Earth in its orbit, supermoons, also known as new moons or full moons, occur. A supermoon, according to Nolle’s seemingly arbitrary definition, is one that is within 90% of perigee.
The moon appears up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter during a supermoon than it does at its apogee, or farthest point. This is comparable in proportion to the size difference between a quarter and a nickel. A supermoon is roughly 8% bigger and 15% brighter than an ordinary moon.
The average distance between the moon and Earth is 226,000 miles during perigee and 253,000 miles during apogee.
Because the moon’s phases and orbital timing often coincide, supermoons can occur several times a year. Depending on how closely the full moon aligns with perigee, some supermoons are more “super” than others. Furthermore, depending on how the moon’s orbit was shaped at the time, perigees can occasionally be closer or farther away.
The November 2016 supermoon was the closest the moon has been to Earth since 1948, and 2052 is predicted to be the closest full supermoon of the twenty-first century.
Why Is the Moon a Sturgeon?
Native American tribes gave names to each full moon in honor of events or activities that were significant to them at that time of year. This is how the name “Sturgeon Moon” originated.
Because it falls during the period when sturgeon fish are traditionally most abundant and easiest to catch in the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water in North America, the full moon in August is known as the Sturgeon Moon.
The full moons in January, March, and September were referred to as the Wolf, Worm, and Harvest, respectively.
