Why is August's rare super Moon known as Sturgeon Moon?

This year August witnessed two rare super Moons. The full moons are called Sturgeon Moon for a specific reason.

Updated on: 2 August 2023 4:27 pm

Reason why is August’s full Moon called Sturgeon Moon

August is a treat for all celestial lovers as the night sky illuminated with two rare supermoons on August 01 and 02. This turns out to be the second supermoon of this year. Apart from the supermoon, people will also witness a rare Blue Moon too. The Blue Moon will be visible in the night sky on August 30, 2023.

The full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon. The Great Lakes of North America were home to sturgeon fish at this time of year, therefore the name. The Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Lynx Moon, and Lightning Moon are other names for the Sturgeon Moon.

When the Moon is full and its orbit is at its closest point to Earth, it is known as a supermoon. Ancient people from all over the world originally gave the full Moons’ names to commemorate special occasions and serve as a calendar.

The moon circles the Earth in an ellipse rather than a complete circle, which causes this phenomenon. The supermoon status indicates that the Sturgeon Moon in 2023 will look a little bit bigger and brighter than normal. The super Moon graced the August sky on ?August 1 from 2:32 pm EDT (August 2, 12:01 am IST). However, the rare full moon occurrence will be at its peak at 12:02 am IST on August 2.

Meanwhile, according to NASA, a supermoon differs from an ordinary full moon as it is larger and visibly brighter in the night sky. On August 30, 2023, a rare Blue Moon that is also going to be a full Moon will emerge in the sky beyond the horizon of Earth at a distance of 222,043 miles. This will be another celestial treat