Stock image: Deposit Photos, elements of this image furnished by NASA
On Tuesday, August 1st, the first full moon of the month will shine brightly in the Atlanta skies. It will be a Super Moon, which is perfect for amateur sky-gazers to enjoy — because you can’t miss it.
A super moon happens when the moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth at the same time the moon is full — making it appear about 17% larger and much brighter than an average moon, according to NASA.
This first August moon is also known as the Sturgeon Moon.
It received this nickname because the giant sturgeon in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most easily caught during the late summer days of August. (Each month’s full moon has a seasonal nickname, and you can see the full list below.)
But there will be a second full moon this month, on August 30th.
And that one will be a rare Blue Moon — see the details below!
During a Super Moon, the moon appears much larger and brighter than average.
When & where to see the August 1st Super Moon
The Super Moon will technically be at it’s brightest peak around 2:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 1st — but clearly it’s not visible in the sky then!
Actual Moonrise will happen at 9:07 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1st.
This is defined as the moment when the upper edge of the moon appears above the horizon.
Just like the sun, the moon rises in the eastern sky and sets in the west.
So if you have a clear view of the horizon, you’ll be able to watch the moon rise. And if your view of the eastern horizon is blocked by trees, as is common in Atlanta, you can wait a little longer for a view of the Super Moon through the trees, and eventually high in the sky above the tree line.
If you’re a fan of the Perseids meteor shower, however, you’re out of luck. The brilliance of the August Super Moon will make the meteors less visible, so you’ll see fewer of them.
And if it’s overcast or raining on August 1st, don’t despair.
There are also Super Moons on these dates in 2023:
August 30th
September 28th
A Blue Moon does not actually appear blue — find out how it got it’s name!
When & where to see the rare Blue Super Moon
The August Blue Moon occurs on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023.
It will also be a Super Moon.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, this will be the biggest and brightest Super Moon of 2023 — because the moon will be closest to the Earth in its orbit.
A “blue moon” does not actually appear blue.
Instead, it’s a figure of speech, referring to the second full moon in a calendar month.
We say “once in a blue moon” because that second occurrence doesn’t happen very often.
According to Britannica, a Blue Moon occurs on average once every 33 months, 41 times in a century, or about seven times every 20 years. It’s extremely rare for there to be two Blue Moons in the same calendar year — happening on average only four times per century!
In Atlanta, moonrise for the rare Blue Super Moon will be at 8:16 p.m. on August 30th. Once again, you can watch for the brilliant moon as it appears over the eastern horizon and climbs high in the sky, to set in the west.
Every month, the full moon has a different seasonal nickname.
Tips for hosting a Full Moon get-together
Lunar events are a fun reason to get a group of people together. You can hang out together outside, and enjoy the show, courtesy of Mother Nature.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Pick a place where you have a good view of the night sky.
Set up comfortable lawn chairs (recliners are best!) or spread out picnic blankets where guests can lie back for skygazing.
You don’t need a crowd! It’s fine to share the experience with just one or two other people, for a peaceful and calming evening.
Set the mood with music, candles, or lanterns.
Dress for the weather. Skygazing in winter is a lot of fun when you’re bundled up and cozy.
Plan for mosquitoes. In the warm months, you may want to have bug spray or citronella torches on hand, and to cover up exposed skin.
Plan around a theme. If you want to go all out, you can use the moon’s seasonal nickname to suggest a theme for snacks, drinks, decorations, etc. For example, how about strawberry daquiris in June?
The full moon names
January – Wolf Moon
February – Snow Moon
March – Worm Moon
April – Pink Moon
May – Flower Moon
June – Strawberry Moon
July – Buck Moon
August – Sturgeon Moon
September – Harvest Moon
October- Hunter’s Moon
November – Beaver Moon
December – Cold Moon
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The post When & where to see the the Super Moon and the rare Blue Moon in Atlanta this August appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.
