Next week you can gaze upon a very special moon. On Monday, August 19, 2024, the night sky will display a major lunar rarity according to NASA. This upcoming August Full Moon will be a Supermoon, Blue Moon, and Sturgeon Moon all at once. (Yes, it’s a mouthful.) Plus, this will be the very first Supermoon of this year.
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon is when the Full Moon is at or near the closest point in its orbit around the Earth. This makes the Full Moon appear even larger in the sky. Supermoons can occur around 3-4 times a year. So while it’s a special astronomical event, it’s not rare.
What is a Blue Moon?
There are two types of Blue Moons:
- A seasonal Blue Moon
- A Blue Moon is either the third of fourth Full Moon in an astronomical season
- Seasonal Blue Moons are relatively rare and only occur once every 2.5 to 3 years.
- A calendrical Blue Moon
- The second Full Moon in a calendar month
- Calendrical Blue Moons occur much more frequently
This Supermoon occurring on August 19, 2024 will be a seasonal Blue Moon, so it is a much more rare occurrence than the Blue Moons we normally see. Plus, it will be the last seasonal Blue Moon until May 20, 2027.
What is a Sturgeon Moon?
The August Full Moon is also called the Sturgeon Moon. There are many traditional Native American names for specific seasonal moon phases. According to Farmer’s Almanac, Sturgeon Moon is a traditional name for many tribes living around the Great Lakes. August was traditionally the time to fish for sturgeon, a large freshwater fish, so it made sense to name the August moon around this important food supply.
How can I view the Super Blue Moon around Seattle?
Luckily the moon is the easiest celestial body to view. You really don’t even need special equipment. You can simply look with your naked eye.
However, NASA’s Moon Viewing Guide states that “What you see on the Moon with your eyes only will vary depending on your eyesight. Give yourself plenty of time for your eyes to adjust and look carefully.” Of course, you can always grab a pair of binoculars or even a telescope if you want to closely observe all the mountains and craters on the moon’s surface.
Where can I view the Super Blue Moon around Seattle?
Of course, the very best way to observe the Super Blue Moon is at a good viewing spot with very little light pollution. This can be difficult to find in the city. But you can take a look at this very useful light pollution map for better insight on where to go if your neighborhood is too bright.
While there are currently no official moon viewing parties scheduled in Seattle, that shouldn’t stop you from hosting your own. You can simply step out into your backyard if it’s dark enough, or you can visit one of these great skygazing spots around the city.
Some recommended urban skygazing spots include:
Go camping near Seattle:
An even better idea would be to take a camping trip outside of the city to one of these incredible local campgrounds or camping sites. Washington State is incredibly fortunate to have so many gorgeous state and national parks right at our fingertips. Viewing this very special and rare Super Blue Moon from one of these breathtaking parks would be a truly memorable experience.