The skies are about to put on a breathtaking lunar show this August! If you’re a fan of celestial events, get ready to witness not just one but two magnificent supermoons gracing the night sky. The first, known as the Sturgeon Supermoon, will illuminate the heavens on Tuesday. But that’s not all! At the end of the month, prepare for a rare and enchanting phenomenon – the Blue Supermoon. Missing these celestial spectacles means waiting for nearly a decade to see them again, so mark your calendars and make sure to catch this summer’s lunar double feature!
Supermoons are a fascinating celestial event that occurs when the full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth, known as perigee. During this special alignment, the moon appears larger and brighter than a typical full moon. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, supermoons can appear up to 8% larger and 16% brighter than usual.
The moon’s orbit around the Earth usually ranges between 226,000 and 251,000 miles. However, only the three or four closest approaches each year are classified as supermoons. The most recent one took place on July 3, and now, we are in for two supermoons in August!
On Tuesday, get ready to witness the Sturgeon Supermoon. Its name originates from Native American tribes who observed that this moon phase coincided with the time when giant sturgeons from the Great Lakes were most abundant. The moon goes by various names, such as the green corn moon, grain moon, flying up moon, harvest moon, rising moon, black cherry moon, and the mountain shadow moon.
The Sturgeon Supermoon will reach peak illumination at 2:32 p.m. ET. After sunset, be sure to look towards the southeast to witness this stunning lunar event rising on the horizon.
For those unfamiliar with sturgeons, these incredible creatures date back to the Jurassic period and can live up to an astonishing 150 years. The white sturgeon, the largest freshwater fish in North America, can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weigh nearly 2,000 pounds. While most sturgeons inhabiting the Great Lakes measure around 6 feet and weigh approximately 200 pounds, they are still an impressive sight to behold.
While supermoons are based on the moon’s orbit, a blue moon is tied to a frequency – when there are two full moons within a single calendar month. NASA also uses this term to describe the third of four full moons within an astrological season.
The moon’s orbital cycle takes approximately 27.3 days to complete, but due to the angle at which the sun’s light hits the satellite, it takes 29.5 days to go from one new moon to the next.
Despite the common saying “once in a blue moon” to denote rarity, true blue moons occur every two-and-a-half years or so. However, a blue supermoon is an even more infrequent occurrence. The last one graced the skies in December 2009, and the next one won’t be visible until August 2032. So, don’t miss this once-in-a-decade opportunity to witness the Blue Supermoon on August 30 at 9:36 p.m. ET.
This year’s blue supermoon will be particularly spectacular as it will be exceptionally close to Earth at a distance of 222,043 miles, nearly 17,000 miles closer than the average distance.
August is set to be a month of celestial wonder as we prepare to witness not just one, but two mesmerizing supermoons. The Sturgeon Supermoon, with its historical significance and awe-inspiring size, will grace the skies early in the month. And at the end of August, we have the rare and enchanting Blue Supermoon, a sight that won’t repeat until 2032.
So, mark your calendars and set your reminders to catch this summer’s lunar double feature. These celestial events remind us of the vastness of the universe and the wonders it holds, reminding us of our connection to the cosmos. Don’t miss this chance to witness the moon in all its splendour, as you’ll have to wait nearly a decade for another opportunity like this. Keep your eyes on the skies, and let the magic of the universe captivate you!
