On the heels of the exciting Perseid meteor shower, the public will be graced with another thrilling night sky moment.
On Monday evening, you’ll have more of a reason than usual to gaze up at the sky, as August’s rare super blue moon will take center stage for the pleasure of photographers, astronomers, and casual viewers.
Here's what to know about the celestial event:
A super blue moon is simultaneously a full moon, blue moon, and a super moon.
The first of these three is pretty well known to us: a phase in the lunar cycle in which the Earth, sun, and moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle, so the moon is fully illuminated on Earth.
A blue moon is not about the color of the moon, but instead the frequency of the full moon. There are two definitions of a blue moon—the first describes when there are two full moons in a single month. Since the moon’s cycle is 29.5 days, and our average calendar month is 30-31 days, it is incredibly rare to have two full moons in one single month, but it is possible, happening every two to three years, according to NASA. Around 3% of full moons are blue moons.
There are also seasonal blue moons, in which a calendar season contains four full moons instead of the usual three, and the blue moon is the third of the four full moons. August’s full moon is of this variety. The next seasonal blue moon is expected in May 2027.
The super moon part refers to the moon's orbit, which brings it slightly closer to Earth this month, making it appear bigger and brighter. This occurs since the moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical instead of just a circle, and thus there are times when the moon is further and closer to our planet.
During the moon’s closest approach to Earth, it can appear approximately 14% larger and shine 30% brighter than when at its farthest point in the orbit. This will be the first of four consecutive super moons this year, and it is less rare than the blue moon, occurring three or four times a year.
August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon moon, dubbed by the Algonquin Native American tribe living in the Great Lakes area and throughout what is now known as the northeastern United States. They named the full moon after sturgeons—a type of large fish—which were most plentiful in the lakes during the month of August.
The full moon's peak will occur on Monday afternoon, according to NASA, at 2:26 p.m. EDT and 11:26 a.m. PT. It will appear for three days, from Sunday morning until early Wednesday morning.
Though the moon will be visible to the naked eye, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., says that telescope and binocular viewers will be able to see even more detail on the lunar surface than usual.
According to NASA, the combination of the super moon and the blue moon is rare, and the time between their occurrences is quite “irregular” and could be as much as 20 years, with 10 years between the average.
Though we had a super blue moon somewhat recently, in August 2023, NASA predicts the next super blue moons will occur in January and March 2037. All the more reason to make sure you don’t miss 2024’s offering.
It's a rare super blue moon.
August's full moon is special on two counts: It's a blue moon and a super moon. That's right – you're about to witness a rare super blue moon.
How did the lunation get this special moniker? What astrological effects might August's super blue moon have on you? Read on to learn more about this month's luminary, nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon.
A supermoon occurs when the moon's orbit means it's closer to Earth than usual, so it appears to be larger. This is the first of four supermoons this year, with more coming in September, October and November.
Then, there are two types of blue moons: Seasonal and monthly. This month's lunation is a seasonal blue moon.
Seasonal blue moons occur when there are four full moons in a season, as opposed to the typical three. The blue moon is the third of the set.
A monthly blue moon is the second of two full moons within a single month.
The full moon reaches peak lunation at 2:26 p.m. ET on Aug. 19, 2024, and will appear full for three days.
The lunation is in Aquarius, a sign focused on on humanitarianism, community-driven activities, and group dynamics. With Mercury retrograde in Leo and Uranus in Taurus aspecting the super blue moon, many miscommunications and surprises will be revealed. Try to listen and then respond to ensure you aren’t missing any information and are not reacting from an emotional place.
On the same day as the full moon, the cosmos sends out other challenging energies. Venus in Virgo connects with expensive Jupiter in Gemini and authoritative Saturn retrograde in Pisces. At the same time, Jupiter and Saturn square off, creating one of the most important transits of 2024 (they’ll come together again on Dec. 24).
Since these planets are in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces), the energy is very tangible, and we might feel as though people are projecting their issues onto us or vice versa.
To thrive during the blue moon, we should let the emotions wash over us and remember none of these feelings are final.
You’re finding that your hopes and dreams are evolving at this time due to your financial aspirations. It’s OK for your visions to be changing and for you to want to make money, as long as you are happy with the way they’re evolving and in line with your desires.
A professional opportunity may come your way, but it may force you to hit pause on other creative projects. You can't do it all, so choose which makes sense for your long-term goals.
You're having breakthroughs and realizing your life can be even bigger than it is now. You might decide to go on a vacation or explore your local community to see what possibilities are available.
Since your intuition is heating up during the blue moon, it’s vital to create boundaries with people whenever you get the sense they're needed. You’re feeling their vibes — and your hunches are probably right.
You are trying to communicate your needs, and that's not always easy. There may be some tough conversations on the way, Leo, but know that it'll be worth it. Relationships strengthen through difficult conversations.
Incorporate exercise, like walking or yoga, into your daily routine. Your mind is craving a break from overthinking, and one way to do that is by getting lost in movement.
There could be a lot of gossip circulating, some of which may or may not be accurate. To get to the root of the matter, you need to assess what you’re hearing and use your intuition to solve the pieces of the puzzle. The truth will come out in time.
Under the full moon, reflect on the past to know what you want in the present and create in the future. You may find that your emotions are erratic as you release old sentiments and make room for new ones. Go with the flow and allow yourself to feel your feelings.
Miscommunications may be running rampant in your personal life. Go on a fact-finding mission to ensure you really know what's going on. You may find that all is well in the end.
You've been putting in hard work. Now's the time to kick back, relax and enjoy what's left of the summer. Amazingly, you may find this refreshes your energy and gives you the momentum you needed.
You’re wearing your heart on your sleeve and allowing yourself to be more intimately known by those who care about you. Give yourself permission to express yourself, and sit comfortably in the knowledge that your loved ones admire exactly that person.
Do some soul-searching and journaling under the light of the full moon. Not only will you begin to understand your passions and motives on a more intricate level, but you’ll be able to connect with yourself and give yourself much needed TLC.
Lisa Stardust is a New York City-based astrologer. Stardust is the resident astrologer for Oprah Magazine, Teen Vogue and The Hoodwitch. She has two upcoming books: “Saturn Return Survival Guide: Navigating this cosmic rite of passage” is due out this May from Hardie Grant Books and “The Cosmic Deck” from Chronicle Books is due out in November. Follow Lisa on Instagram for her daily horoscopes @lisastardustastro.
