August's Blue Moon Will Be a Supermoon to Watch

In August 2024, skywatchers will observe the Sturgeon Moon, which will be not only a supermoon but also a seasonal blue moon and will look reddish. The full moon will light up the sky at 2:26 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 19, 2024. However, it will appear full from the afternoon of August 18 and remain visible in full until the afternoon of August 20, disappearing at around 2:30 p.m.

According to [The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon of August was given the name by the Algonquin tribes. The reason why this moon is called Sturgeon is that hundreds of years ago, this fish species was particularly easy to catch. [Time and Date.com adds that the Sturgeon is a large fish, and it inhabits Lakes Superior and Michigan, for instance. A full moon appears a supermoon when it is closest to the Earth. The full moon of August 2024 will be 226,120 miles from the Earth, which will make it especially bright and big-looking.

From the Grand Mesa on a hazy evening, with nearly full moon. Photo: Dana Anglund

This full moon is particularly significant because it is called a blue moon. However, the Sturgeon Moon is not a blue full moon in terms of its color. A blue moon is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. Therefore, on Monday, 19 August, observers will see not only a supermoon but also a blue full moon. At its rise, the moon will be reddish for reasons explained by [Time and Date.com, it will look that way due to summer hazes and dust. To enjoy the view in the best way, observers should cast an eye to the southeast and wait for the moon to rise. Moreover, low-angle rising and setting moons look larger compared to peak highness. Isn’t it a great opportunity for photographers and everyone interested in space views? Full moons are fascinating! I will most certainly drop in on the Harvest Moon, which will come up on Thursday, September 17, 2024, at 10:34 P.M. EDT.