Sturgeon Moon, Blue Moon, August 20 Brings Nighttime Rarity
The term Sturgeon moon is another applied to tonight’s rare blue moon, and the infrequency with which they’re seen inspires the common phrase indicating something only happens once in one.
Tonight’s Sturgeon moon is more frequently known by the other moniker — but as you’re probably aware, the moon won’t appear to be blue despite the name.
Christian Today explains the reason for the connection between Sturgeon moons or blue moons and frequency, explaining:
“Tonight’s blue moon is an extra summer moon, which is the third moon of four in the season that started on the June solstice. In most seasons, there are three full moons, but once in a while there are four moons. The extra moon is called a blue moon. Tonight’s full moon is also called a Full Sturgeon Moon, the Full Red Moon, the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon.”
As for blue moons, tonight’s Sturgeon moon marks less than a year since the last extra summer full moon — there was one on August 31 of last year — but another won’t occur until July of 2015.
While blue moons generally refer to the second full moon in any month-long period, moons can actually take on a blue tint when conditions in the sky are the sort that influence the hue of the moon.
If you want to catch the Sturgeon moon while it’s still nice general stargazing weather, the best time to see it in the East is about 9:45 PM EST. What are you calling tonight’s extra full moon?
