The next full moon is going to be a supermoon. Here's when August's full moon will be

Seth Jacobson, USA TODAY NETWORK - New England

There's so much to see by looking up.

Aside from the coming peak of the Perseid meteor shower, there's the August full moon is coming up and it's going to be a super moon.

In June, stargazers got to see a full-moon known by Native Americans as the Strawberry Moon. Then, in July it was the full Buck Moon.

So what's the Native American term for the August full moon? And when can you see it? Here's what to know about the celestial event.

When is the next full moon?

It can be seen starting on Monday, Aug. 19 at 2:26 p.m.

"August's full moon will appear slightly larger than normal and is known as a supermoon," According to Space.com.

What is a 'supermoon?'

Supermoons occur when full moons coincide "with the moon being at the point in its orbit closest to Earth, called Perigee," according to Space.com.

A past "Sturgeon Moon" over Washington D.C. This year's Sturgeon Moon - a "supermoon" - can be seen near the middle of August, 2024.
A past "Sturgeon Moon" over Washington D.C. This year's Sturgeon Moon - a "supermoon" - can be seen near the middle of August, 2024.

What is the Native American term for this full moon?

It is known as the Sturgeon Moon because sturgeons - a type of fish - are more efficiently caught in August and early September, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

The almanac states, "The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain; this native freshwater fish was readily caught during this part of summer and an important food staple for Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time the lake sturgeon was quite abundant in late summer, though they are rarer today."

What are the names of some other full moons coming up?

  • Sept. 17: Harvest Moon

  • Oct. 17: Hunter's Moon

  • Nov. 15: Beaver Moon

  • Dec. 15: Cold Moon

What's the best way to observe the Sturgeon Moon?

A full moon can be seen clearly with the naked eye.

But in a past interview with USA Today Network, Tim Brothers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology technical Instructor and observatory manager, said with any case of stargazing, it's much better if you're using a good telescope or a pair of binoculars.

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Why is the August full moon special? When to see August 2024 full moon

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