Sturgeon Moon: Everything you need to know about the last Supermoon of 2022

The last Supermoon of 2022 – known as the Sturgeon Moon – is on August 11, 2022. Here's what you need to know to enjoy the astrological show.

The Sturgeon Moon is set to occur on Thursday, August 11, 2022 (stock image).
The Sturgeon Moon is set to occur on Thursday, August 11, 2022 (stock image).  © 123rf/beyondasnapshot

A sturgeon is a wild prehistoric looking fish that some people refer to as "living fossils," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The upcoming full moon is named after the fish because August is the best time to catch these animals in the Great Lakes of North America. Some also refer to this Supermoon as the Green Corn Moon, as the corn hasn't turned ripe and yellow just yet.

This year, the Sturgeon Moon will reach its peak illumination at 9:36 PM EST on Thursday, August 11. This bright moon will also make a close pass by the planet Saturn around midnight EST.

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It's also the third and last Supermoon of the season, which started in May. A Supermoon is a full moon that occurs while the moon is at its nearest point to Earth, due to its orbit. This phenomenon makes the moon look bigger and brighter than your average full moon.

This supermoon's bright light has one draw back: it's set to appear at the same time as this year's Perseids meteor shower peak and will probably block out some of the shower's streaks.

The best time for sturgeon fishing in the Great Lakes used to be in August, per the Old Farmer's Almanac (stock image).
The best time for sturgeon fishing in the Great Lakes used to be in August, per the Old Farmer's Almanac (stock image).  © 123rf/erwika

That said, August's Sturgeon Moon is one of the best Supermoons to bask in, as the nights are a bit longer than they were when June's Strawberry Moon graced the sky.

Cover photo: 123rf/beyondasnapshot

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