August opens and closes with a supermoon — including a rare blue moon

Two supermoons will rise in August. Here's how to see them in Chicago.

Photo byAlexis AntonioonUnsplash

(CHICAGO) August is a great month for Chicago skywatchers. This month features two full moons and the Perseids meteor shower, all within 30 days.

The Full Sturgeon Moon rises this Tuesday, August 1st, and the month will end with the second full moon of the month (a blue moon) on Wednesday, August 30th.

No, a blue moon doesn't have anything to do with the color of the moon. It's the name given to a full moon when it's the second one of the month.

When is the best time to see Tuesday's supermoon in Chicago?

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the moon will rise on Tuesday at 8:43 PM in the Chicago area.

Why is Tuesday's moon called the Sturgeon Moon?

The Farmer's Almanac explains the giant sturgeons of the Great Lakes were abundant this time of the year.

When are the remaining full moons of 2023?

• August 1: Sturgeon moon (supermoon)
• August 30: Blue moon (supermoon)
• September 29: Harvest moon (supermoon)
• October 28: Hunter's moon
• November 27: Beaver moon
• December 26: Cold moon

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon is a full moon at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, meaning it appears brighter and bigger than a typical full moon. According to Chicago's Adler Planetarium Blog, "Supermoon is a nickname that describes a Full Moon that occurs within 10% of its closest approach (300,000 km) to Earth."

The planetarium explains it's not unusual for supermoons to appear one after another. We get four supermoons in 2023. In July, the Buck Moon on July 3rd was a supermoon.

The supermoon rising on August 30th will be the closest supermoon to the Earth. However, if you happen to miss August's supermoons, you'll get one more chance in September with the Harvest Moon on the 29th.

What else is happening in the skies this month?

Sky gazers won't want to miss Perseid's meteor shower appearing mid-month. According to the Adler Planetarium, the spectacle will peak during the evening of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The moon will be a small crescent, making the skies dark, and increasing the odds of spotting the meteors.

To see the Perseid shower, the planetarium recommends heading out after midnight on August 13th. Give your eyes a little bit of time to adjust to the dark, and watch the show! Try to find a spot as far away from the artificial light as possible.

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