August’s full moon, scheduled for August 19, has various names such as supermoon, blue moon, and sturgeon moon. The supermoon aspect of this month’s moon refers to it being closer to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter. The blue moon designation comes from it being the third of four full moons this season, a rare event. The sturgeon moon is named after the Native American term for August’s full moon.
The combination of a blue supermoon is rare, occurring approximately every 10 years, with the next one expected in January 2037. The full moon of August 2024 is set to occur on Monday, August 19, reaching its peak fullness at 2:26 p.m. EDT. It will appear full from Sunday morning through early Wednesday morning. A supermoon happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth during its full phase.
Different types of blue moons exist, with the seasonal blue moon occurring when there are four full moons in a season, and the monthly blue moon being the second full moon in a calendar month. The sturgeon moon’s name is derived from Native American customs of tracking seasons and planning activities based on the moon’s cycles. Sturgeon fish, once abundant, have declined due to overfishing and habitat loss. Overall, the August full moon is expected to be a special celestial event with unique features and meanings.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com