The Enchanting August Supermoon: A Celestial Spectacle in the Texas Sky
As the month of August commences, nature enthusiasts and sky-watchers are in for a special treat – the rise of a full moon, adorned with the title of a “supermoon.” On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at precisely 2:32 p.m., the full moon will grace the heavens with its presence. However, during that moment, the moon will be positioned below the horizon, requiring eager observers to exercise patience until later in the day to catch a glimpse of the magnificent full moon.
This particular full moon holds the distinction of being the second of four “supermoons” scheduled for the year 2023. A supermoon appears larger and brighter in the sky due to its close proximity to Earth during its orbit.
The August 1 full moon marks the second of three full moons expected to occur during the summer season. Additionally, it is the second of the four “supermoons” gracing the celestial stage in 2023.
The Enigmatic Sturgeon Moon:
According to NASA, the August full moon is traditionally known as the “Sturgeon Moon.” This appellation traces its origins to the 1930s, when it was recorded in the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. The Algonquin tribe, a Native American community, is credited with naming the August full moon “Sturgeon” due to their observation of easier sturgeon fish catches in larger bodies of water during this particular time of year. NASA also notes that an alternate name for the August full moon is the “green corn” moon.
Glimpsing the August Full Sturgeon Supermoon:
The moonrise on Monday evening, July 31, will exhibit the moon in a nearly full state, though it won’t officially attain full moon status until later. During the evening and early hours of Tuesday, the moon will be in the Waxing Gibbous phase. On Tuesday, August 1, at 9:11 p.m., the awe-inspiring “Sturgeon” supermoon will grace the east-southeastern sky over Youngstown, Ohio, before setting at 7:02 a.m. the following morning. Furthermore, early risers on Wednesday, August 2, will still be able to admire the nearly full moon as it rises at 9:46 p.m., setting at 8:24 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, in the west-southwestern sky.
The Definition of a Supermoon:
For those intrigued by the term “supermoon,” NASA clarifies that it refers to any full moon that aligns with the moon’s perigee, the closest point of its orbit to Earth. The moon completes an orbit around the Earth in approximately 27 days, during which it reaches a perigee, the point of its closest proximity to our planet, and an apogee, the point of farthest distance.
A supermoon usually occurs when the full moon coincides with its perigee, causing it to appear approximately 17% larger and 30% brighter. To attain the status of a “supermoon,” the full moon must be within 90% of its perigee during the occurrence. Throughout the year 2023, there will be four instances of full moons meeting the criteria for supermoons. The August 1 full moon is the second in this impressive lunar line-up.
As the curtains rise on August, nature’s grand spectacle is set to unfold in the Texas sky – a “supermoon” of epic proportions. The full moon, known as the “Sturgeon Moon,” will illuminate the heavens with its captivating glow, offering sky-watchers a sight to cherish. Mark your calendars and prepare to witness the magic of the August full Sturgeon “supermoon” rising in all its splendor, a celestial event that reminds us of the awe-inspiring wonders present in our night skies.
