August’s Sturgeon Moon illuminated the D.C. sky the night of Tuesday, August 1—one of two supermoons that will be visible this month (plus a meteor shower)!
The Super Sturgeon Moon reached it peak at 2:31 p.m., appearing 8% larger than a typical full moon. (A supermoon is a celestial event where the moon is at its closest proximity to the Earth.) Later, Washingtonians were able to watch it rise at about 8:50 p.m.
The supermoon’s name stems from North America’s largest fish, the sturgeon. According to Farmer’s Almanac, it was named due to the large and increased number of sturgeon typically found in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain during this time of the summer. This August full moon is also referred to as the Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Lightning Moon, and the Lynx Moon.
Later this month on August 30, a second supermoon, known as the Blue Moon, will appear—and it’s said to be the largest and brightest supermoon of 2023!
So stargazers and moon lovers, until then, enjoy these stunning photographs of August’s Super Sturgeon Moon from D.C.: