Friends, we’re approaching the last super moon of the year.
You've probably heard that word a lot this year, but what exactly is a super moon?
Let us refresh your memory. A super moon happens when the moon, which travels in an elliptical fashion, is closest to the Earth at the same time that it’s full. That means the moon looks extra bright and large. There’s even a pretty word to express the moon’s closest point to the earth: the perigee—which, as NASA tells us, is about 226,000 miles from Earth. The farthest point in the ellipse is the apogee, 253,000 miles away from us on average.
August’s full moon is also called the Sturgeon Moon in the US because the giant sturgeons (fish) of Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes are easier to catch during this month.
So you can pile onto your lawn on the night of August 11 to see this fourth and last perigean moon of 2022. However, if you want a really spectacular view, head to the ocean because of course high tides and low tides are more extreme with a super moon. (Perigean high tides can even cause scary high waves or storm surges on some coats).
Looking for other good beaches to set up your telescope or recline with your binoculars? Check out our curated list.