August’s Full Moon is known in some circles as the Sturgeon Moon, which began peaking yesterday, August 2. The eighth Full Moon of 2020 will peak tonight, Monday, August 3, and will continue to appear at its maximum until Wednesday, August 5.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich reports the Sturgeon Moon will be at its exact peak at 4.58pm BST today (3.58pm UTC).
North American fishing tribes called August’s Full Moon the Sturgeon Moon since the species appeared in number this mont
Royal Observatory Greenwich
However, because it will still be daylight at this point, Full Moon fans will have to wait several hours to witness the lunar orb in all its glory.
When viewed from London, the Full Moon is expected to rise over the southeast horizon at about 9.10pm BST (8.10pm UTC).
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac guide to astronomy and nature, August’s Full Moon earned its odd soubriquet from sturgeon fish becoming ready to be caught.
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With the northern hemisphere in the peak of summer, fish populations are at their highest points.
This makes it easier for Native American tribes, who named the Moon, to catch the fish.
Amy Nieskens, of the Old Farmer’s Almanac guide to nature, said: “August’s Full Moon is known as the Sturgeon Moon because Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon in the Great Lakes and in Lake Champlain were most readily caught during the Full Moon.”
The Royal Observatory Greenwich added: “North American fishing tribes called August’s Full Moon the Sturgeon Moon since the species appeared in number this month.
“It’s also been called the Green Corn Moon, the Grain Moon and the Red Moon for the reddish hue it often takes on in the summer haze.”
The Full Moon phase marks the exact moment the Moon’s Earth-facing side fully reflects the light of the Sun.
As the Moon orbits both the Earth and the Sun, different amounts of the side of the Moon we see are illuminated each night.
This shifting luminance, known as the Lunar Cycle, lasts approximately 29.5 days from one New Moon to the next.
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Full Moon dates 2020:
Here are all of the 13 named Full Moons, with the second Full Moon in a month known as a Blue Moon, as well as the dates they are scheduled to peak:
January 10: Full Wolf Moon
February 9: Full Snow Moon
March 9: Full Worm Moon
April 8: Full Pink Moon
May 7: Full Flower Moon
June 5: Full Strawberry Moon
July 5 – Full Buck Moon
August 3 – Full Sturgeon Moon
September 2 – Full Corn Moon
October 1 – Full Hunter’s Moon
October 31 – Blue Moon
November 30 – Full Beaver’s Moon
December 30 – Full Cold Moon
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