By Sheharyar Get ready for an awe-inspiring celestial show this August! The night sky will treat us to not one, but two remarkable supermoons. Brace yourself for a breathtaking experience with the upcoming sturgeon supermoon, followed by the rare and mesmerizing blue supermoon at the end of the month.
what exactly is a supermoon?
Also known as a perigean full moon, it occurs when the moon is at its closest point in orbit around Earth during its full phase. This proximity gives it a fascinating allure, making it appear up to 8% larger and an astonishing 16% brighter than an average full moon. So, it’s no surprise that sky-watchers eagerly anticipate these events.
The sturgeon supermoon
set to grace the skies on Tuesday, has an intriguing origin. Native American tribes named it after the giant sturgeons from the Great Lakes, which were said to be “most readily caught” during this time of summer. Fascinatingly, it also goes by various names such as the green corn moon, grain moon, flying-up moon, harvest moon, rising moon, black cherries moon, and mountain shadow moon.
To witness this celestial spectacle, keep your eyes on the southeast after sunset. The Sturgeon Moon will reach peak illumination at 2:32 p.m. ET.
The blue supermoon
The blue supermoon is a phenomenon not to be missed! Unlike the term “supermoon,” which relates to the moon’s orbit, a blue moon refers to the frequency of two full moons occurring within a single calendar month. They also apply to the third of four full moons within an astrological season.
Although the saying “once in a blue moon” suggests rarity, blue moons are not as infrequent as commonly thought, appearing every two and a half years or so. However, the blue supermoon is a much rarer event. The last one graced the sky in December 2009, and we won’t see another until August 2032.
This year’s blue supermoon is set to peak at 9:36 p.m. ET on Aug. 30, and it’s expected to be a remarkable sight. It will be the biggest and brightest of 2023, thanks to its proximity to Earth at just 222,043 miles—nearly 17,000 miles closer than the average distance.