August 2023 Full Moons, "Sturgeon & Blue Moon"

August is an exceptional month for moon enthusiasts, as it graces us with not just one, but two full Moons this year! The Full Sturgeon Moon, which will peak on August 1st, 2023, will be followed by the Full Blue Moon, which will peak on August 30th, 2023. Interestingly, the latter will be the closest supermoon of the entire year, making it a truly remarkable astronomical event. Let's delve into the details of these two magnificent celestial occurrences.

For those eager to observe the Full Sturgeon Moon, mark your calendars for the afternoon of August 1, with peak illumination set to occur at 2:32 P.M. Eastern Time. As the evening approaches, look towards the southeast after sunset to catch a glimpse of this majestic moon ascending the sky.

 

Now, let's unravel the intriguing concept of a supermoon. The August 1 supermoon is the second of four consecutive supermoons this year. In astronomical terms, a supermoon is referred to as a "perigean full Moon," meaning that it coincides with, or comes very close to, the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. As a result, a supermoon appears up to 8% larger in size and approximately 16% brighter than an average full Moon. While the size difference may not be easily perceptible to the naked eye, the supermoon certainly shines more brightly in the night sky.

 

Fast forward to August 30, when the second full Moon, the Blue Moon, graces us with its presence. The term "Blue Moon" is commonly used to describe the occurrence of two full Moons within a single month. On this date, the Full Moon will reach its peak at 9:36 P.M.

 

What makes this Blue Moon even more special is that it will be the closest, biggest, and brightest full supermoon of the entire year. Its proximity to Earth will be exceptional, with just 222,043 miles separating us from this lunar wonder. The next time we'll witness a supermoon this close will be on November 5, 2025, when the Moon lies at a distance of 221,817 miles from Earth.

You might be curious about the origin of the name "Sturgeon Moon." The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac have various sources, including Native American, Colonial American, and European origins. The Sturgeon Moon, in particular, derives its name from the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain region, where it was traditionally believed that the giant sturgeon fish were most readily caught during this part of summer.

 

These prehistoric-looking sturgeon fish have a fascinating history dating back around 136 million years. Often referred to as "living fossils," these majestic creatures require around 20 years before they can begin reproducing, and they can only do so every 4 years. Remarkably, they can live up to 150 years! Unfortunately, the lake sturgeon, a species found in the Great Lakes, has become quite rare due to overfishing in the 19th century, pollution, and habitat degradation.

 

The name "sturgeon" itself holds significance, as it means "the stirrer," aptly describing the giant fish's behavior when searching for food. As it moves along the river and lake bottoms, the sturgeon stirs up mud and silt. If you observe its appearance closely, you'll notice its pointed snout and whisker-like tactile organs near the mouth.

 

Beyond the Sturgeon Moon, various Native American tribes have bestowed alternative names for the August Moon. For instance, the Cree people refer to it as the "Flying Up Moon," signifying the time when young birds are ready to take flight. Different tribes use names like "Corn Moon" (Algonquin, Ojibwe), "Harvest Moon" (Dakota), and "Ricing Moon" (Anishinaabe) to indicate that it's the season to gather maturing crops. The Assiniboine people call this period "Black Cherries Moon," referring to when chokecherries become ripe. The Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest traditionally name this time of the season the "Mountain Shadows Moon."

 

As we eagerly anticipate the August full Moons, let's also take note of the other Moon phases for this month: 

• Full Moon: August 1, 2:32 P.M. Eastern Time
• Last Quarter: August 8, 6:28 A.M. Eastern Time
• New Moon: August 16, 5:38 A.M. Eastern Time
• First Quarter: August 24, 5:57 A.M. Eastern Time
• Full Moon: August 30, 9:36 P.M. Eastern Time

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and prepare to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the August full Moons! Don't forget to consult the Moon Phase Calendar for your time zone to stay on top of these celestial events. Happy moon-watching!

You can also read out our post about "10 Destinations to View the 'Ring of Fire" Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023"