[imagesource:canva]

If you didn’t get the memo, it’s official: August 2023 is the ultimate month for stargazers and space-lovers.

Last night the sky was adorned with a ‘Sturgeon Moon’ supermoon, which was visible across the world including South Africa.

This is just the beginning: we can expect another supermoon on 30 August to end off the month’s sky-show, as well as a meteor shower on 12-13th August. As exciting as the meteor show sounds, it unfortunately won’t be visible by the naked eye in SA.

That being said, jot down the second supermoon in your calenders, because its arrival signals a rare ‘blue moon’ display. When there are two supermoons in one month, we have a ‘blue moon’, hence the well-known adage ‘once in a blue moon’. There’s never been a better time than this August to use the phrase.

For those of you asking the valid question, ‘what the heck is the difference between a moon and a supermoon?’, don’t worry, we did the research so that you don’t have to.

Firstly, we call it a supermoon because the celestial body is at its closest to planet earth at this point, making the floating rock 25% brighter to those who see it. Secondly, we call it a supermoon because the scientific term ‘perigee-syzygy moon’ is just too much of a mouthful. Ja, I said what I said. If you can pronounce it, good for you mos.

You’re also maybe wondering why last night’s moon is nicknamed the ‘Sturgeon Moon’. Another good question. Apparently the name has to do with the sturgeon fish in the Northern Hemisphere. During this time of year, the sturgeons can be found in droves in the Great Lakes that follow the border of Canada and the US.

If you missed last night’s spectacular display, don’t fret. Let the above live stream help you relive the moment, and don’t forget to cast your eyes to the heavens on 30 August at 3:35pm, when the next supermoon will reach its peak for SA.

[sources:britannica&thecitizen]