1st Blue Supermoon of 2024 Rising Monday: How to View the Sturgeon Moon at Its Best

The first supermoon of the year, known as the “blue supermoon,” will make its debut on August 19. This full moon, the Sturgeon Moon, is notable for being both the biggest and brightest full moon of 2024 so far. It’s also unique because it’s the third full moon of a summer season that includes four full moons, making it a “blue supermoon.”

What is a Blue Supermoon?

The Sturgeon Moon reaches its peak fullness on August 19 at 2:25 p.m. EDT. The term “blue moon” refers to an astronomical rarity: a blue moon can be either a monthly blue moon (the second full moon in a calendar month) or a seasonal blue moon (the third of four full moons in a single astronomical season). This summer, the Sturgeon Moon qualifies as a seasonal blue moon because it is the third full moon since the summer solstice on June 20, following the full moons on June 22 and July 21. The next full moon, the Harvest Moon, will be on September 18, just before the equinox on September 22.

Viewing Tips

To see the Sturgeon Moon at its most spectacular, watch for it rising above the eastern horizon on Monday. The moon will also appear bright and full on the days surrounding August 19—Sunday and Tuesday. While stargazing binoculars or telescopes aren’t necessary, they can enhance your view of the moon’s surface details.

Cultural Significance

August’s full moon is named after sturgeon fish, which are plentiful in the Great Lakes at this time of year. The Anishinaabeg people refer to it as Minoomini Giizis, or “the Grain (Wild Rice) Moon.”

Supermoon Facts

The term “supermoon” describes a full moon that occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, known as perigee. This alignment makes the moon appear larger and brighter than usual. There will be four supermoons in 2024, starting with the Sturgeon Moon. The Hunter’s Moon on October 17 will be the closest full moon of the year. The Harvest Moon, another prominent full moon, will partially eclipse as it passes through Earth’s shadow on September 17.