Stargazers and astronomers worldwide have reason to rejoice this August, as two spectacular supermoons are set to grace the night sky.
According to experts at NASA, the first of these celestial wonders, the “Super Sturgeon Moon,” will dazzle on August 1, followed by a rare blue moon later in the month.
Supermoons are a cause for excitement among astronomy enthusiasts, but they also pique the curiosity of the general public. Many wonder what sets supermoons apart from the regular moon we see every night and why astronomers eagerly anticipate their appearances.
Here’s all you need to know about these celestial phenomena:
Supermoons occur when the full moon reaches its closest point to Earth during its orbit. The moon’s elliptical orbit, resembling an extended oval shape, causes it to move in and out of our planet’s atmosphere as it completes its cycle. At its apogee, the moon is approximately 253,000 miles away, while it draws nearest to Earth at its perigee, at a distance of around 226,000 miles.
A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with its perigee, resulting in a visually larger and brighter appearance than a regular full moon.
This year’s supermoon cycle is exceptional, with four occurrences taking place in quick succession. The first supermoon of the year graced the skies on July 3, and the last in the series will be visible on September 29.
The eagerly awaited “Super Sturgeon Moon” will make its appearance on Tuesday, August 1, peaking at 1:33 pm EDT. Native American tribes, particularly those in the Great Lakes region of North America, named this August full moon “Sturgeon Moon” because sturgeons are most frequently caught during this month.
Sturgeons, ancient-looking fish dating back over 130 million years, have diversified into numerous species worldwide, some of which inhabit the Great Lakes.
In different cultures, the August full moon is known by various names. The Algonquins refer to it as the “Grain Moon” due to the abundance of grains during this period. Other names, such as the Green Corn Moon, Barley Moon, or Fruit Moon, are associated with the crops and foods that mature and are harvested around this time.
The term “blue moon” refers to a rare occurrence rather than the moon’s color. It denotes the presence of two full moons in a single calendar month. Since a full moon typically occurs every 29 days, there is occasionally enough time for two full moons to appear in months that last 30 or 31 days.
Remarkably, the month of August this year will witness two full moons, and intriguingly, both will be supermoons, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The first full moon on August 1, the Super Sturgeon Moon, will be followed by an elusive blue moon later in the month on August 22.
With these celestial delights illuminating the night sky, August promises to be an extraordinary month for astronomers and stargazers alike. Whether peering through telescopes or simply gazing upwards in wonder, people around the world will have the chance to witness the splendor of these cosmic marvels.
