Experience the Spectacular August Full Sturgeon Moon: What You Need to Know!

Sky-watchers are in for a treat this week as the full moon shines brightly! August’s full moon, known as the sturgeon moon, will be at its fullest on Saturday at 3:55 a.m. ET. You can see it from Friday night into Saturday morning.

Kelsey Young, a NASA expert working on the Artemis II mission, says the full moon is visible even in city lights. For the best view, find a darker spot away from the glow of urban areas. Even if you can’t catch the exact moment the moon is full, it will appear full for several days. So, step outside any night to enjoy the sight.

Traditionally, the sturgeon moon is named after the time of year when sturgeon fish are best caught, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Indigenous tribes have different names: the Cree call it the flying up moon, and the Assiniboine refer to it as the black cherries moon, marking the ripening of cherries.

In addition to the stunning moon, this week features three meteor showers: the Southern Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids, and Perseids. The first two peaked last week, while the Perseids will reach their peak next week, although they might be hard to see against the full moon’s brightness.

This month, keep an eye out for bright planets. Venus and Jupiter will be visible in the early mornings, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, they will appear particularly close—making for a spectacular sight.

As we look ahead, we have four more full moons scheduled this year, with supermoons occurring in October, November, and December. To mark your calendars, here are the upcoming full moons:

– September 7: Corn moon
– October 6: Harvest moon
– November 5: Beaver moon
– December 4: Cold moon

Additionally, two eclipses are set to take place this fall. A total lunar eclipse will be visible in various regions on September 7-8, while a partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21, with visibility in parts of Australia and the Atlantic.

As the skies continue to change, there’s always something beautiful waiting to be seen. Whether it’s a full moon, shooting stars, or planets, the night sky offers endless wonder.



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