Why Tonight's Full Moon Shouldn't Be Missed
You may have recognized that each month's full moon has a specific name assigned to it. For the month of August, the full moon is called the Sturgeon moon. This one is not super obvious, so we're here to give you all the intel on the Sturgeon moon.
The names of each full moon in the calendar year are specific to the United States, as their names come from "Native American, Colonial American and European sources," according to the Farmer's Almanac.
What does the Sturgeon full moon mean?
August's full moon is named after a fish, the sturgeon, which are commonly found in the Northern United States including the Great Lakes. These fish were once abundant in the Americas providing a valuable food source, though now their population is much smaller due to overfishing and habitat loss. These fish are even sometimes referred to as living fossils because their appearance has changed so little over time.
The August full moon was specifically named after this fish because August is a great time for fishing, especially when fishing for sturgeon. Even more, however, it represents strength, generosity and knowledge.
How to watch the Sturgeon full moon?
This year, the Sturgeon moon falls on August 1st. It will also be a supermoon this year, meaning it will appear larger and brighter than ordinary full moons. According to The Washington Post, most people will be able to see it best at moonrise. You can check your local moonrise time here, but for example, in New York, it'll b 8:43 p.m.
Next year, the Sturgeon moon will rise on August 19th. August falls in the astrological period of Aquarius, which is fitting because it represents a time when catching fish is optimal.
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