The August full moon will nearly be a supermoon. Here's what to know about the Sturgeon Moon

Summer weather is perfect for nights of gazing at the sky, and lucky for us, this summer has been full of special astronomical phenomena.

Each month, the full moon has a unique name. June had a Strawberry Moon and July had a Buck Moon, according to Almanac .

What is August's full moon and when will we see it? Here’s what to know.

What is the August moon called? More about the Sturgeon Moon

This month’s full moon will be called the Sturgeon Moon, named by the Native Americans, according to Almanac . This moon is nearly a supermoon as it happens just two days before the moon is closest to the Earth, according to Space.com .

What is a 'supermoon?'

Supermoons occur when full moons happen when the moon is closest to Earth during its orbit. This is also known as Perigee, according to Space.com.

Why did the Native Americans call the August full moon the Sturgeon Moon?

This name comes from the giant lake sturgeon, a prehistoric-looking fish, once found abundantly in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. This important food staple was readily caught during the months of August and September by Native Americans. Though they were plentiful then, sturgeon are rare in today’s waters.

When can we see the Sturgeon Moon?

It can be seen starting on Monday, Aug. 19 at 2:26 pm.

What are the names of some other full moons coming up?

• Sept. 17 : Harvest Moon
• Oct. 17 : Hunter's Moon
• Nov. 15 : Beaver Moon
• Dec. 15 : Cold Moon

What's the best way to observe the Sturgeon Moon?

A full moon can be seen clearly with the naked eye.

But in a past interview with USA TODAY Network , Tim Brothers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology technical instructor and observatory manager, said with any case of stargazing, it's much better if you're using a good telescope or a pair of binoculars.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The August full moon will nearly be a supermoon. Here's what to know about the Sturgeon Moon