August will bring not just one, but two special treats for sky gazers and moon lovers. The month will begin with the appearance of a Full Sturgeon Moon on August 1, followed by a rare Full Blue Moon on August 30.

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with its closest proximity to the Earth, known as the perigee. During this phenomenon, the moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. The moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical, meaning it varies in distance. At its farthest point, or apogee, the moon is approximately 253,000 miles away from Earth, while at perigee, it is around 226,000 miles away.

The first supermoon of the month, known as the Full Sturgeon Moon, will rise on August 1 and reach total perigee on August 2. The name “Sturgeon Moon” comes from the Native American practice of catching sturgeon during this time of summer in the Great Lakes region. This year, it follows the “Buck Moon” that appeared at the beginning of July.

What makes this month’s supermoons even more special is that there will be two full moons in August, with the second one being a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons within the same calendar month. Typically, there are 12 full moons in a year, one for each month. However, due to the moon’s cycle of 29.5 days, occasionally a second full moon fits into a single month. Blue moons occur on average every three years, and the next one is expected in May 2026.

Adding to the rarity, both of this month’s full moons will be supermoons. This last happened in 2018 and will not occur again until 2037.

To see the Full Sturgeon supermoon on Tuesday night, it is recommended to find a dark and open location away from light pollution. While viewing may be challenging due to partly to mostly cloudy skies, the moon should be bright and large enough to be visible from most locations. In Los Angeles, moonrise is expected at 8:27 p.m., and those interested in specific moonrise times in their area can consult resources such as the Almanac.

With binoculars or a telescope, viewers can get a closer look at the moon’s features and enjoy an enhanced viewing experience.

August is certainly an exciting month for moon enthusiasts, with the rare occurrence of two supermoons, including a Blue Moon. These celestial events provide a unique opportunity to marvel at the beauty and wonders of our universe. So mark your calendars, find the best viewing spot, and prepare to be amazed by the magnificent sight of the Full Sturgeon and Full Blue Moons.