The Blue Supermoon Has Risen Over Ukraine: What Makes the Full Moon on August 19 Unique.

In August 2024, we will witness a spectacular full moon, known as the Sturgeon or Blue Moon. It will come close to us at a minimal distance and will be brighter than a regular Moon.

The Origin of the August Full Moon's Name

The August full moon got its name from the Native Americans of North America. For the tribes living on the shores of the Great Lakes, August was the best Time to catch sturgeon. Additionally, the full Moon in August marked the beginning of the harvest season, so it was called the Corn, Grain, and Rice Moon. Other cultures had their names for this full moon:

• for the Chinese - Harvest Moon;
• for the Celts - Dispute Moon;
• for the Wiccans - Herb Moon;
• for the Cherokee - Fruit Moon.
• In the Southern Hemisphere, where it is currently winter, the Moon is called Snow Moon, Wolf Moon, and Hungry Moon.

What is the Blue Moon

This year, the Sturgeon Moon is a seasonal Blue Moon. A seasonal Blue Moon is the third full moon in an astronomical season that occurs between the equinoxes. An astronomical season usually features four full moons.

Seasonal Blue Moons are quite rare - approximately once every 2.5-3 years.

Besides seasonal, there is also a calendar Blue Moon, which occurs when two full moons happen in a calendar month. This phenomenon happens more frequently.

It is worth noting that the name "Blue Moon" does not indicate the actual color of the Moon. It usually appears regular, but sometimes can take on a blueish tint due to an optical illusion, when red wavelengths are scattered in the air by tiny particles of smoke or ash.

The First Supermoon of 2024

The August full moon of 2024 will also be a supermoon, meaning it will occur near the closest point of the Moon’s orbit to Earth, the perigee. During a supermoon, the Moon will appear 7% larger and 16% brighter than usual.

The August full moon will occur on August 19 at 21:26 Kyiv time (18:26 GMT). To the naked eye, the Moon will appear full from August 18 to 20. This will be the first of 4 consecutive supermoons in 2024.

Let us remind you that on the night of August 12-13, the polar lights were visible in various regions of Ukraine, specifically in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions.