Dear Commons Community,
August’s first full moon, also known as the “Sturgeon Moon,” will shine brightly in the sky tonight (August 1st)
It will appear brighter and bigger than the average full moon. The Aug. 1 full moon is the second of four consecutive supermoons, which occur when the Moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time the moon is full. Supermoons are about 16% brighter than an average moon.
The supermoon will be even closer on the night of Aug. 30 because it will be a rare blue moon, which occurs when there are two full moons in a single month. A blue moon is not blue in color, according to NASA.
Astronomy fans only get to see blue moons about once every three years on average. The next blue moon after the one on Aug. 30 will be in May 2026.
The last of the four consecutive supermoons this year will be the Sept. 28 “Harvest Moon.
August’s first full moon is called the “Sturgeon Moon” because sturgeon were most readily caught during this part of summer in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The “Sturgeon Moon” was preceded this year by the “Buck Moon.”
Moonrise for August’s first supermoon will be visible after 8 p.m. . A Farmer’s Almanac web page shows specific times for different ZIP codes.
Enjoy tonight!
Tony
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