When and Where Can You See the Rare Super Blue Moon in August

The Super Blue Moon will appear in August, marking the first of four consecutive supermoons in 2024. It will be fully visible from Sunday to Wednesday, offering astronomy enthusiasts a rare treat when they gaze at the sky.

NASA has stated that the full moon will reach its peak illumination on Monday at 2:26 PM Eastern Time, but it will appear full for three days. The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides specific moonrise times for various zip codes across the United States.

When and How Can You See the Peak of the Super Blue Moon in August?

While the full moon will peak on Monday afternoon at 2:26 PM Eastern Time, it will first appear full on Sunday morning, according to NASA. It will continue to appear full until Wednesday morning.

According to NASA, about 98% of the near side of the moon will be illuminated by the sun on Sunday. By the following day, 100% of the near side of the moon will be illuminated, and about 99% of it will be illuminated by the sun on Tuesday.

The moon can be observed with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope.

What Is a Supermoon?

According to NASA, supermoons occur when the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth at the same time that the moon is full. The distance between the moon and Earth varies between approximately 221,457 miles and 252,712 miles.

During the peak of this month’s supermoon, the moon will be about 225,288 miles from Earth. It will be closer to Earth in September, around 222,005 miles away.In October, the full moon will be around 222,095 miles away from Earth. The last supermoon in the series—in November—will be about 224,385 miles from Earth.

Supermoons appear larger than the average full moon; it’s similar to the size difference between a quarter and a nickel, according to NASA. They are also about 16% brighter than a typical full moon.

When Are the Next Supermoons This Year?

The full moon in August is the first of four consecutive supermoons this year. The full moon in September will reach peak illumination on Tuesday, September 17th, and is known as the Harvest Moon.

The following month’s full moon, known as the Hunter’s Moon, peaks on Thursday, October 17th. The last supermoon of the year will be the Beaver Moon in November, peaking on Friday, November 15th.

According to NASA, the full moons in September and October will be nearly tied as the closest full moons of the year.

Will the Blue Moon Appear Blue?

August’s full moon isn’t just a supermoon; it’s also a Blue Moon. However, those hoping to see shades of sky blue, cobalt, or dark blue when they look at the moon might be disappointed. The term “Blue Moon” has two meanings when it comes to lunar phenomena, and neither is related to color.

A Blue Moon refers to the third full moon in a season with four full moons, as is the case with this year’s August full moon, according to NASA. The term is also used to describe the second full moon in a month with two full moons.

Does August’s Full Moon Have a Special Name?

August’s full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The name comes from the giant sturgeon fish that were abundant in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, and could easily be caught during this time of summer.
This month’s full moon is also known as the Red Moon, the Corn Moon or Green Corn Moon, the Barley Moon, the Herb Moon, the Grain Moon, or the Dog Moon, according to NASA.