A supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. Supermoons happen about once every 14 months, but this year, we’re in for a treat as August will feature two supermoons!
The first supermoon of the month will occur on August 1, and it will be a Sturgeon Moon. The Sturgeon Moon is a Native American name for the full moon, and it’s said to be named after the sturgeon, a large fish that’s abundant in the Great Lakes during this time of year.
The second supermoon of the month will occur on August 30, and it will be a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon is a second full moon that occurs in a single month, and it’s a relatively rare occurrence.
According to NPR’s report, both of these will be visible to the naked eye and will appear about 8% larger and 16% brighter than a typical full moon. The Sturgeon Moon will reportedly rise at 2:32 p.m. ET (7:32pm, Nigerian time) on August 1, and the Blue Moon at 9:36 p.m. ET (2:36am, Nigerian time) on August 30.
The August 30 Blue Moon will be the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2023.
If you’re looking for a night out with a beautiful view, be sure to mark your calendars for August 30. You wouldn’t want to miss this beautiful celestial events.
