August is full of full moons this year, including two supermoons, a Sturgeon Moon, and a blue moon. Last night’s moon, shown below, had the most luminosity (99.5%). However, the moon of the night before, with a luminosity of 99.3%, technically was the first and official August full moon.
That August full moon is commonly called the Sturgeon Moon, which is what Native Americans reportedly called it because it arises when the sturgeon begin to run. That moon also was a supermoon, because it occurred when the moon was at the point in its orbit that is closest to the earth.
Another full moon and supermoon combination is predicted for August 3,1 with an anticipated luminosity of 99.9%. Being the second full moon in a single month, it also will be a “blue moon,” in fact a “blue supermoon.” In days of yore, the term “blue moon” was used to describe something that was impossible. (Image taken in Brooklin, Maine, at 4:29 a.m. on August 3, 2023.)