Sturgeon Moon: August’s first supermoon to delight skygazers

Skygazers are on Tuesday night set to catch a glimpse of a bigger and brighter moon, known as the supermoon.

August’s full moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon, stemming from the increase in sturgeon fish in North American lakes at this time of year.

The lunar spectacle is visible on the night of Tuesday August 1st, when the moon is at its closest point to Earth.

This is because the moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical shape and its distance away varies over time.

Don Pollacco, professor of physics at the University of Warwick, said: “Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to the Earth. Consequently, the moon can look bigger (10-15%) and brighter (25-30%).

“One thing to note, though, is that when the full moon is rising it can look bigger than normal. This is partly due to the Earth’s atmosphere and also an optical illusion, such as seeing the moon next to trees.”

Rising in the east at a distance of about 363,300 km, the supermoon became visible shortly after sunset.

Prof Pollacco said: “The moon is so bright that we can see it when it’s not particularly dark or even if the weather isn’t particularly clear.

“It will be visible all night and set in the west around sunrise.”

A second supermoon will rise later this month, on August 30th.

Prof Pollacco said: “The moon’s orbital period around the Earth is 29.5 days (so) two full moons are possible in a normal month.

“The second one is called a Blue Moon and give rise to the expression we use to express rarity in events.” - PA