Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Did you see the full moon last night? Rising to bright oranges and yellows as it appeared on the eastern horizon, here are some of the best photos of the full ‘Super Super Moon’ — the final ‘supermoon’ of 2022 — as seen from around the world. The Sturgeon Supermoon set behind the Dome and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. Gianluca Masi / Virtual Telescope Project A full moon occurs every month (a ‘month!) as our physical satellite orbits the Earth. At one point it is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, so its entire disk is fully illuminated — but only for one night. A full moon sets behind apartment buildings 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 is this possible? As the Moon orbits the Earth each month, it does so in a slightly elliptical, egg-shaped path. So, once a month the Moon looks at its largest. The full Sturgeon Supermoon rises over 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, only when this point in its orbit coincides with a full moon can we see a supermoon. They happen about two to four times a year, but this “Super Super Scarlet Moon” is the last supermoon of 2022. The Super Moon rises behind The Shard, in London, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto … [+] Pezzali) Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Why is August’s 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 sturgeon full moon rises over Eindhoven in the Netherlands. NurPhoto via Getty Images It’s easily the worst Moon name because it’s geographically specific. So maybe we should use one of the other names it’s been given, 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, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP … [+] Photo/Beatrice Larco) Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. A rising full moon appears orange due to a phenomenon called Raleigh Scattering. As you see the Moon through the thickest part of Earth’s atmosphere (as you do when you see a sunset), the long wavelength of the red light means it hits fewer particles, so it enters your eyes more easily than the blue light of micro wavelength, which hits more particles and scatters. The sturgeon full moon rises over Eindhoven in the Netherlands. NurPhoto via Getty Images Did you know that the Moon “wobbles?” It happens because the Moon orbits at different speeds as it orbits the Earth. It is a direct consequence of the elliptical orbit of the Moon. However, because it rotates at the same speed, it causes oscillation. A full moon rises behind the buildings of the banking district in 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 although we only ever see one side of the Moon, this wobble means that over the course of a year it allows us to see about 60% of the lunar surface. The Sturgeon supermoon, the last supermoon of the year, rises behind Edinburgh Castle during… [+] Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Fireworks Display. Photo 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 incredible object to behold, it’s actually too bright to notice unless you see it near the horizon as it rises or sets. It’s actually much better to observe the Moon with binoculars or a small telescope at other times of the month. Whenever you look for the termination – where day meets night – that will allow you to see shadows from east to west on the lunar surface. A supermoon rises over artwork above 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 the Waning Gibbous phase. During this seven-night period it will drop in brightness as its eastern edge—farthest from the Sun—comes into shadow. A super moon rises over the Art Deco spire of the Power and Light building Thursday, August 11, 2022, … [+] in downtown Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved It also rises after midnight, making this a great time 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 Mon rises early in the morning. The next full moon will be the famous “Harvest Moon”, which will be best seen on Friday, September 9, 2022. I wish you clear skies and open eyes.
