August’s Spectacular Supermoon Is Here

This week, skywatchers are in for a treat as August‘s supermoon lights up the night sky. It’s not just any full moon but a special one that will appear full from Sunday through Wednesday. The full moon peaked in brightness on Monday, August 19, at 2:26 p.m. EDT, but it will look full for three days in total, according to NASA.

On Sunday, around 98% of the moon’s near side will be shining, and by Monday, it will be glowing bright with 100% of its surface illuminated. You don’t need any fancy equipment like binoculars or a telescope to take in the view. Just look up!

So, what makes a supermoon special? It happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth while being full. This particular moon will be about 221,457 miles away. Just a heads up, the supermoon will be even closer next month at roughly 222,005 miles.

Not only does the supermoon look bigger, but it’s also about 16% brighter than a typical full moon. In fact, this August’s full moon is predicted to appear 6.2% larger and 12.8% brighter than average. Coming up next month in September, the full moon will be even larger and brighter, so keep your eyes peeled!

August’s full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon because it’s the time when giant sturgeons were often caught in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. It’s also been called other names like the Red Moon, Corn Moon, and the Dog Moon. So, it’s more than just a pretty sight; it has a rich history too.

For those who love to watch the moon, there will be a live streaming event on Monday, August 19, hosted by Gianluca Masi from the Virtual Telescope Project. The livestream kicks off at 3:30 p.m. EDT, perfect for those who want to catch a glimpse of this celestial event from their homes.