As the calendar turns to August, the night sky brings an enchanting display of celestial wonders. After a captivating weekend of meteor showers, stargazers are in for another treat – two full moons, both of which are supermoons! In 2023, there are four supermoons to look forward to, and the first one will grace the skies on Tuesday, August 1.
The August 1 full moon, also known as the “sturgeon moon,” will reach its peak illumination at 2:32 p.m. ET on Tuesday, although it will be below the horizon in the U.S. at that time. But fear not, as it will still appear splendidly full when it rises in the southeast sky after sunset.
Wondering why it’s called the sturgeon moon? Traditionally, Native Americans, Colonial America, and Europeans assigned names to each full moon based on different events or natural occurrences during that time of year. In August, the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were once readily caught, hence the sturgeon moon moniker.
Sturgeon, fascinating creatures that they are, have been referred to as living fossils because they have remained virtually unchanged for over 100 million years. Unfortunately, due to overfishing and habitat loss, sturgeon populations have significantly declined, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Now, what exactly is a supermoon? When the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual, it creates a cosmic spectacle known as a supermoon. During this cosmic alignment, the moon appears slightly larger and brighter than usual to us Earthlings.
The moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle, causing it to be sometimes closer and sometimes farther from Earth during its journey. The varying thresholds set by different publications determine when a full moon qualifies as a supermoon. Fortunately, the supermoon on August 1 will undoubtedly grace the night sky with its captivating allure.
So, mark your calendars and set your sights on the horizon as the first August full moon, the sturgeon supermoon, rises to cast its radiant glow upon the world. Embrace the marvels of the cosmos and immerse yourself in the magic of the night sky during this extraordinary celestial event. And remember, there’s another supermoon to anticipate on August 30, which will also be a blue moon – the perfect finale to a month of lunar wonders in 2023.
