Rare Blue Moon Will Appear In August 2023, Joined By Another Supermoon
On Tuesday night, the first full moon of August, commonly known as the “Sturgeon Moon,” will grace the sky, radiating with exceptional brightness and appearing larger than an average full moon. This celestial event is part of a series of four consecutive supermoons, wherein the Moon’s orbit comes closest to Earth precisely when it reaches its full phase. As a result, supermoons shine about 16% brighter than a typical full moon.
Moreover, the supermoon on August 30th will be an even closer encounter, marking a rare occurrence known as a “blue moon.” Contrary to its name, a blue moon does not refer to its color but rather to the presence of two full moons within a single month. Observing a blue moon is a special treat for astronomy enthusiasts, as they occur on average only once every three years. The subsequent blue moon after the upcoming one in August is anticipated in May 2026.
Completing the series of four supermoons for this year, the last one, referred to as the “Harvest Moon,” is scheduled to grace the night sky on September 28th. Interestingly, the term “Sturgeon Moon” for August’s first full moon harks back to the historical time when sturgeon fishing was most fruitful during this phase of summer in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, as per the Farmer’s Almanac. This “Sturgeon Moon” follows the “Buck Moon” earlier this year.
For those eager to witness this celestial spectacle, the moonrise for the first August supermoon will be visible after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. If you’re keen on catching the specific moonrise time for your location, the Farmer’s Almanac website provides details based on different ZIP codes.
It’s worth noting that the brightness of the supermoon will also affect the viewing of the Perseids meteor shower, which usually offers a stunning display of 50-100 “shooting stars” per hour during its peak on August 12th and 13th. The moon’s brilliance may make it challenging to observe the meteor shower to its full potential during these dates.
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