The full moon in August 2024 will be very special because it will be a blue moon – but not because it is the second full moon in a calendar month.
Instead, August’s full moon will be a seasonal blue moon, which occurs when there are four full moons in a single astronomical season, instead of the usual three.
When this happens, the third of the four full moons is called a blue moon. This type of blue moon is a rare event. The last seasonal blue moon was in August 2021, and the next one won’t occur until May 2027.
The full moon in August is also known as the Sturgeon Moon, a name that comes from Native American traditions.
How to see the full moon in August 2024 in Arizona.
What date in August is the full moon?
Skywatchers can see the full moon on Monday, August 19th.
When is the full moon in Phoenix, AZ?
The next full moon is on August 19th at 11:25 am.
Will there be a blue moon in 2024?
Yes. There will be a seasonal blue moon on August 19, 2024. The next monthly blue moon will be on May 31, 2026.
What is a blue moon?
According to Time and Date, the term “blue moon” does not refer to the color of the moon, but rather to its rarity. Blue moons occur about once every two to three years.
There are two types of blue moons: monthly and seasonal.
A monthly blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in one calendar month.
A seasonal blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in an astronomical season, instead of the usual three. In this case, the third full moon of the four is called a seasonal blue moon.
Are blue moons really rare?
According to Space.com, blue moons are relatively rare. The frequency depends on the type of blue moon. A monthly blue moon, which is the second full moon in a calendar month, occurs about every 2.7 years. A seasonal blue moon, which is the third full moon in a season with four full moons, occurs about every 2.5 years.
What is the name of the full moon in August?
The full moon in August is commonly known as the Sturgeon Moon.
What does a sturgeon moon mean?
Naming moons was a way for Native Americans to track the seasons and plan their activities. The name “Sturgeon Moon” comes from the Algonquian peoples, according to the Farmers Almanac.
The Sturgeon Moon is named after the sturgeons that are found in large numbers in the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water at this time of year.
How long does the full moon last?
According to Time and Date, “The moon is constantly moving around the Earth, so a full moon – technically – lasts only an instant.”
However, about a day before and after the exact time of the full moon, the moon can appear nearly full, when its lunar disk is over 98% illuminated.
The exact duration of the full moon phase can vary slightly depending on the observer’s location and the lunar cycle in question. However, to the casual observer, the moon appears full for about three days: the day before, the day of the full moon, and the day after the actual full moon.
Other astronomical events in 2024
For a full list of upcoming celestial events such as full moons and meteor showers, see our 2024 astronomical events calendar.
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