The Full Sturgeon Moon won’t be the only shiny object in the sky this weekend
All you full moon fanatics will want to head outside on August 26th to check out the Full Sturgeon Moon. The moon will officially become full at 7:56 a.m. EST on the 26th, and will keep its shape until the next moonrise at 8:01 p.m. that same night. Although the Full Sturgeon Moon will be the star of the show when it reaches its peak fullness, its co-star—or co-planet—Mercury will also make a guest appearance. Together, the moon and Mercury will put on an excellent show for us Earth-dwellers.
The Full Sturgeon Moon gets its name from the Native American tribes around the Great Lakes. They called August’s full moon the Sturgeon Moon because it was during this time of year that the sturgeon in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were plentiful and easily caught. These tribes also referred to August’s full moon as the Full Green Corn Moon, Almanac.com notes.
Other tribes across America gave August’s full moon different names. For example, the San Ildefonso and San Juan tribes called this month’s moon the Wheat Cut Moon. The Dakotah Sioux tribe called August’s full moon the Moon When All Things Ripen. And the Ojibwe tribespeople called it the Blueberry Moon.
It’s always exciting to see a full moon in the night sky. But this month, we’ll get to see another spectacle while the moon is at its fullest phase.
According to Space.com, on the 26th, Mercury will be at its “highest in the predawn sky” and farthest distance from the sun. This setup creates an ideal viewing for the planet, which will be visible near the eastern horizon. And while you’re planet-gazing, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter will all be present in the sky depending on your location. You can check out when and where each planet will be visible here.
Even though there will be a lot going on in the sky come August 26th, the Full Sturgeon Moon will still be the shining star. Be sure to look up and give it a wave.
