The last supermoon of the year rises over Lower Manhattan in New York City, United States, on August… [+] 11, 2022. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Did you see the full moon last night?
Rising in bright oranges and yellows as it appeared on the eastern horizon, here are some of the best photos of the full ‘Super Sturgeon Moon’, the final ‘supermoon’ of 2022, as seen from around the world.
The sturgeon supermoon behind the dome and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy.
Gianluca Masi / Virtual Telescope Project
Each month a full Moon (a “moon!)” occurs as our natural satellite orbits Earth. At one point it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, so its entire disk is fully illuminated, but only for one night.
The full moon sets behind apartments on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, early Friday,… [+] Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
A “supermoon” is a full Moon that is slightly larger than usual. How does this happen? As the Moon orbits the Earth each month, it does so in a slightly elliptical, egg-shaped path. Thus, once a month, the Moon looks at its largest.
The full Sturgeon Supermoon rises over the horizon as seen from Alameda, California on Thursday, August 11… [+] 2022. (Photo by Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
MediaNews Group via Getty Images
However, it is only when this point in its orbit coincides with a full Moon that we can see a supermoon. They happen two to four times a year, but this “Super Sturgeon Moon” is the last supermoon of 2022.
The Super Moon rises behind The Shard, in London, on Thursday, August 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto… [+] Pezzali)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Why is the August Full Moon called the “Sturgeon Moon?” It has to do with a name given to it by the early Native American tribes living around the Great Lakes, who caught sturgeon fish at this time of year.
The full sturgeon moon rises over Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
It’s easily the worst name for the Moon because it’s so geographically specific. So maybe we should use one of the other names given to it, like “Green Corn Moon” or “Grain Moon”. The latter is an Anglo-Saxon name, as are ‘Corn Moon’ and ‘Lightning Moon’.
The moon rises over the Indian Ocean at Diani Beach, Kenya, on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP … [+] Photo/Beatrice Larco)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A waxing full moon appears orange due to a phenomenon called Raleigh scattering. When you see the Moon through the thickest part of Earth’s atmosphere (as you do when you watch a sunset), the long wavelength of red light means that it hits fewer particles, so more gets in easily into your eyes compared to short-wavelength blue light, which affects more particles. and it spreads.
The full sturgeon moon rises over Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Did you know that the Moon “speaks?” It happens because the Moon orbits at different speeds while the Earth rotates. It is a direct consequence of the elliptical orbit of the Moon. However, because it rotates at the same speed, it causes it to oscillate.
The full moon rises behind buildings in the banking district of Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, … [+] Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
It’s actually a positive for moon watchers because even though we only see one side of the moon, this wobble means that over the course of a year we get to see about 60% of the lunar surface.
Supermoon Sturgeon, the last supermoon of the year, rises behind Edinburgh Castle during the … [+] Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Fireworks Display. Picture date: Thursday, August 11, 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA images via Getty Images
Although the full Moon is an amazing object to look at, it’s actually too bright to observe unless you see it near the horizon as it rises or sets. In fact, it is much better to observe the Moon with binoculars or a small telescope at other times of the month. Whenever you look for the terminator, where day meets night, which will allow you to see shadows cast from east to west on the lunar surface.
A supermoon rises above artwork atop a convention center Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in downtown… [+] Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
With the moon having completed its full phase, it is now time for its waning gibbous phase. During this seven-night period, it will decrease in brightness as its eastern limb, farthest from the Sun, falls into shadow.
A supermoon rises beyond the Art Deco spire of the Power and Light building on Thursday, August 11, 2022,… [+] in downtown Kansas City, Missouri (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
It also rises after midnight, making this period excellent for stargazing and astronomy. When it is half lit it will be the last quarter phase, when only the western half of the Moon will be visible and Monday will rise in the early morning.
The next full moon will be the famous “Harvest Moon”, best seen on Friday, September 9, 2022.
I wish you clear skies and wide eyes.