Look Up In The Sky!!!! A Super Blue Sturgeon Full Moon

 Hey, Space Placers!

Super Full Moon InThin Clouds

Greg Redfern

In a repeat of 2023  https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2023/08/look-up-to-the-sky-its-a-rocket-launch-and-a-supermoon/      , 2024 will also have an August Super Blue Sturgeon Full Moon https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/the-next-full-moon-is-a-supermoon-blue-moon/  although it will be “Blue” for a different reason than last year.   

As explained by NASA:

“Although it will not look blue, as the third full Moon in a season with four full Moons, this will be a Blue Moon. The first recorded use of "Blue Moon" in English dates from 1528. Speculations on the origin of the term include an old English phrase that means "betrayer Moon" (because it led to mistakes in setting the dates for Lent and Easter). Or it may be a comparison to rare events such as when dust in the atmosphere makes the Moon actually appear blue. Since the 1940s the term "Blue Moon" has also been used for the second full Moon in a month that has two full Moons.” 

Do Supermoons have an effect on us? They can influence tides https://earthsky.org/space/does-the-supermoon-have-a-super-effect-on-us/?mc_cid=062185d9a5&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318  and appear a bit larger and brighter than regular Full Moons. You can learn more by tuning in Monday at 1:15 p.m. EDT https://earthsky.org/space/super-blue-moon-live-on-monday-aug19-2024/?mc_cid=062185d9a5&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318 

This wordy Full Moon - each month’s Full Moon has a variety of names associated with it https://www.space.com/39238-full-moon-names.html - will occur Monday afternoon, August 19, 2024, at 2:26 PM EDT. As a result we get to enjoy a bright, almost Full Moon, tonight through Wednesday morning. Good thing too, as my WTOP weather forecast   https://wtop.com/weather/   has more clouds and storms until Tuesday and Wednesday

Each of these nights our celestial neighbor will be rising in the East-Southeast. Try to watch the Moon rise  https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/   just as it is clearing your horizon so you can possibly experience the “Moon Illusion” https://earthsky.org/space/video-the-moon-illusion/?mc_cid=315bfbed0e&mc_eid=9aeb2a4318 . This is quite a beautiful sight to see and experience.

The planet Saturn will be keeping VERY CLOSE company with the bright Moon on Tuesday night. The ring planet will be just above and to the left of the Moon. Binoculars will enhance the view. Saturn’s rings are almost edge on as seen in telescopes.

Oh, and when looking at the Moon, wink at it in remembrance of Neil Armstrong https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/aug/HQ_12_600_armstrong_family.html  - the first human to walk on the Moon.

Sky Guy in VA