Experience the rare seasonal rising of the blue moon
The full moon in August will not only be known as the Sturgeon Moon, but will also rise as a rare seasonal blue moon.
Don’t forget to look up at the sky on Monday night.
Stargazers will see the full moon in August, which will be larger and brighter than usual.
Here’s what you should know about this celestial event:
When is the full moon in August 2024?
The full moon can be seen from Monday, August 19th.
Why is the full moon in August special?
The August full moon has several names, including Supermoon, Blue Moon, and Sturgeon Moon.
The “Super” part refers to the moon’s orbit, which brings it a little closer to Earth this month, making it appear larger and brighter. The “Blue” part means this is the third of four full moons this season, an unusual occurrence. “Sturgeon” refers to the Native American name for August’s full moon.
What is a supermoon?
According to NASA, a supermoon is a full moon that appears larger and brighter in the sky than a regular full moon. This is because the moon is at or near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a position called perigee.
At its perigee, the Moon appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than at its farthest point from Earth, the apogee. We commonly refer to this visual effect as a “supermoon.”
Where does the term “supermoon” come from?
The term “supermoon” was coined in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle to describe a new or full moon that is 90% closer to Earth in its orbit.
According to NASA, there is a supermoon about three to four times a year.
What is a blue moon?
There are two types of blue moons: seasonal and monthly. This one is of the seasonal variety. That means that if there are four full moons in a season (in this case, summer), the third of the four is considered a blue moon.
The second definition − which arose from a misunderstanding of the original definition − is the monthly blue moon, which refers to the second full moon in a calendar month.
What is the Sturgeon Moon?
Naming moons was a way for Native Americans to track the seasons and plan their activities. “The full moon in August was traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeons of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most easily caught during this time of summer,” says the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Will the Sturgeon Moon be visible in Texas?
According to the 10-day forecast on Weather.com, conditions will likely vary across the state. In general, expect warm temperatures typical of Texas in August, with clear or partly cloudy skies, depending on the region. This full moon will rise in the afternoon and be best visible in the late evening.
When is the best time to see the full moon in Texas?
According to the almanac’s lunar calendar, the Sturgeon Moon should be visible from Texas starting Monday at 1:28 p.m.
Will there be more full moons in 2024?
There are four more full moons to be observed this year. Here are the dates and names of these moons:
- September 17: Harvest Moon
- October 17: Hunter’s Moon (Supermoon)
- November 15: Beaver Moon (Supermoon)
- December 15: Cold Moon
How can you observe the supermoon?
You can see the Sturgeon Moon with the naked eye or use a telescope or binoculars if you have one.
— USA TODAY contributed to this report
