This August is bringing us a fantastic treat with not just one, but two supermoons to marvel at. Tonight, on August 1, people all over the world, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, will have the chance to witness the breathtaking Sturgeon Moon shining brightly in the sky. This special full supermoon will be only 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) away from Earth, making it look 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual, as explained by Pakistani space scientist Dr. Jawed Iqbal.
The Sturgeon Moon is called a supermoon because it’s a perigean full moon, occurring when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and more dazzling.
What’s even more exciting is that this month has not one, but two supermoons, which is a rare event known as a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon is a term used for a special occurrence that happens infrequently but regularly. The second supermoon is expected on August 30, and it will be the biggest and brightest of the year 2023, as it will be exceptionally close to Earth at 222,043 miles.
If you happen to miss the August supermoons, don’t worry! The next Blue Moon won’t happen until August 2032, so mark your calendars for that incredible celestial event.
