The next full moon is supermoon. Here's when August's 'Sturgeon Moon' is full
From the sun's total eclipse to the recent Perseid meteor shower, there have been plenty of reasons to look to the heavens this year.
The June "Strawberry Moon" appeared larger than usual due to an "unusually low" position in the sky corresponding with the sun's position during the summer solstice. However, it was not a true supermoon.
August's "Sturgeon Moon" is the first supermoon of the year. Here's what else we know about the phenomenon, the fishy name and more.
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What is a 'supermoon?' What happens during a supermoon?
The Old Farmer's Almanac explains the phenomenon. The broad definition says that a supermoon is a new or full moon that happens when the moon is near perigee—the point in its orbit closest to the Earth. Astrologer Richard Nolle coined the term "supermoon" in 1979. He specified that the moon must be within 90% of perigee.
The Almanac also mentioned, however, that different publications may use slightly different thresholds for deciding which full moons qualify as supermoons.
How to view the supermoon
A supermoon does appear larger due to its extra degree of closeness to the Earth. However, the amount is only about 7% larger. Because of this, the Almanac suggests combining the supermoon with the "moon illusion."
As the mind tends to exaggerate the size of objects near the skyline, the moon generally appears significantly larger when rising or setting. Therefore, for an optimal viewing experience, consider observing the supermoon at these times for a supersized illusion.
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When is the next full moon?
The full Sturgeon Moon will reach peak illumination at 2:26 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 19. It should be visible in the southeast after sunset.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
Previous reporting by the Hendersonville Times-News said that the 12 full moons each year are named by Native American tradition. In the same article, UNC Asheville Associate Professor of Astronomy Britt Lundren reminded readers that, when sharing the titles of the monthly moons, it's important to remember the cultural diversity of tribes in the U.S. This diversity means that there are multiple names for each of the full moons every year.
"Each tribe has a close relationship with the land, and their moon names will reflect the seasonal changes unique to their environments," Lundren said.
The Sturgeon Moon's title is a tribute to the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. Sturgeons were caught during this part of summer and were an important staple for the native peoples in the region.
The Almanac mentions that other terms for this month's moon include:
Flying Up Moon (Cree)
Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe)
Harvest Moon (Dakota)
Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe)
Black Cherries Moon (Assiniboine)
Mountain Shadows Moon (Tlingit)
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How rare is it to see a supermoon?
NASA explains that supermoons occur three to four times yearly and always consecutively.
How many supermoons are in 2024?
There are four supermoons in 2024, with the first of the year taking place on Aug. 19. The entire list for the year is:
Full Sturgeon Moon - Aug. 19, 224,917 miles from Earth
Full Harvest Moon - Sept. 17, 222,131 miles from Earth
Full Hunter Moon - Oct. 17, 222,055 miles from Earth
Beaver Moon - November 15, 224,853 miles from Earth
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Full moon names 2024
Here's a list of the full moon names for 2024, courtesy of the Old Farmer's Almanac:
January - Wolf Moon
February - Snow Moon
March - Worm Moon
April - Pink Moon
May - Flower Moon
June - Strawberry Moon
July - Buck Moon
August - Sturgeon Moon
September - Corn Moon
October - Hunter Moon
November - Beaver Moon
December - Cold Moon
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: What is a supermoon? What to know before 2024's upcoming first
