August is starting off with a bang — at least for those who enjoy a gaze at a full moon.
Tuesday will feature 2023’s eighth full moon, and the second of four “supermoons,” a term that denotes when a full moon appears brighter than normal due to being closer to Earth than normal.
There are only 13 opportunities to see a full moon throughout 2023, and Tuesday is one of those days. It is coined the sturgeon moon, named for the large fish in the Great Lakes, which were easiest to catch during this time of year.
It will reach peak illumination at 2:32 p.m., according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Viewers in Delaware should look to the southeast after sunset to view the spectacle. Sunset is at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
What makes a supermoon unique?
If you notice that Tuesday’s full moon is a bit brighter than usual, it’s for a reason.
“A supermoon exceeds the disk size of an average-sized Moon by up to 8% and the brightness of an average-sized full Moon by some 16%,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. “You may not perceive the difference in size, but a supermoon will appear brighter in the sky.”
According to EarthSky.org, there are four supermoons in 2023. And funnily enough, all four occur consecutively.
The first supermoon came back on July 3, and the after Tuesday’s, the next two will come on Aug. 30 and Sept. 29.
With a hopeful weather radar on Tuesday, Delawareans may be able to spot the moon’s slight increase in size and brightness.
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How will the weather be during the full moon?
Viewers should have mostly clear skies up and down the state, according to current forecasts from the National Weather Service.
The weather service does list a slight chance of showers — around 20% — up and down the state Tuesday night. But skies that night are predicted to be “mostly clear,” according to the weather service, despite the small chance for rain. Temperatures will drop to the 60s as the full moon shows itself.
Places to see the full moon in Delaware
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the full moon away from your home, try these state parks. State parks close at sunset, however, so make sure to arrive before sunset to watch the supermoon become more and more visible leading up to the 8:15 p.m. sunset.
All parks have a $4 entrance fee.
- Trap Pond State Park: Laurel is home to one of the darkest places on the Delmarva Peninsula to stargaze, according to the Delaware Stargazer Society.
- Killen’s Pond State Park: Located in Felton, this state park has plenty of activities to enjoy in the lead-up to the supermoon’s appearance, including hiking, kayaking and a waterpark.
- Bellevue State Park: Up near Wilmington, this park is a popular spot for picnics, hiking around the former DuPont estate and fishing in the pond.
The Delaware Astronomical Society is holding a three-hour event Tuesday night at the Mt. Cuba Observatory just west of Greenville. It’s perfect timing, as the workshop is from 7 to 10 p.m., right when the supermoon will begin to become visible as the sun sets.
Look out for ‘blue moon’ later this month
While Tuesday’s full moon also will be considered a supermoon, there’s another special moniker for the next full moon this summer.
Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be the ninth full moon of the calendar year and will be considered a “blue moon,” though it’s not blue in color. Blue moons are the second full moon of a month or the fifth full moon of a season.
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No other month this year will have two full moons, so Aug. 30 will be the only blue moon of 2023. This one-off blue moon also will be a supermoon, making it the first super blue moon since December 2009.
Don’t miss out, as the next super blue moon will be a nine-year wait, in August 2032.
Janet Loehrke and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, contributed to this story.
Sources: NASA; EarthSky.org; Old Farmer’s Almanac; USA TODAY research
Contact Konner Metz at kmetz@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @konner_metz.
