Are you able to imagine we’re in August already? Let’s hope for one more sunny heatwave and a few clear skies for stargazing. Learn beneath to know what to look out for this month!
Sturgeon Moon
Mark your calendars! The subsequent full Moon will grace the skies on 9th August at 8:55am (UK time). This month’s Moon is historically referred to as the Sturgeon Moon, a reputation rooted from North American custom. It has additionally been referred to as the Swan Flight Moon, Pink Moon and Grain Moon.
The title comes from the enormous lake sturgeon, a prehistoric-looking fish that after thrived within the Nice Lakes and Lake Champlain. These freshwater giants have been most simply caught in late summer season and have been an important meals supply for Native American communities within the area. Whereas as soon as plentiful, sturgeon are actually a a lot rarer sight resulting from overfishing and habitat adjustments.
However the Sturgeon Moon isn’t nearly fish, it’s additionally surrounded by fascinating folklore. Listed here are just a few lunar legends tied to full and new Moons:
- Garments washed for the primary time below a full Moon gained’t final lengthy.
- Catch a glimpse of the brand new Moon over your proper shoulder, and good luck will observe.
- Need your venture to thrive? Begin it throughout a brand new Moon for the perfect probability of success.
- Infants born the day after a full Moon are stated to be blessed with endurance and success.
Why is is often known as the Pink Moon, the Grain Moon, and the Swan Flight Moon?
- Pink Moon: To not be confused with June’s Strawberry Moon, or perhaps a lunar eclipse, the August Pink Moon is named this merely due to its shut proximity to the horizon. In the summertime months the Moon can cling low on the horizon and because of this air molecules within the hazy ambiance scatter a lot of the quick, blue wavelengths, leaving the remaining longer crimson wavelengths, thus we get a crimson Moon.
- Grain Moon: The title Grain Moon is all all the way down to the totally different grains that may be harvested presently of the yr, and comes from Previous English Folklore.
- Swan Flight Moon: Coming from the Inuit group, this title for the Moon was impressed by the younger swans that have been seen chickening out presently of the yr.
Constellation – Cassiopeia The Queen
There’s a number of constellations to see throughout summer season, however one in all my favourites can be Cassiopea The Queen! She seems just like the letter W within the sky! You may see her all yr spherical however the summer season makes her simpler to identify. In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was the queen of Aethiopia, married to King Cepheus and mum to Andromeda. She was additionally extraordinarily happy with herself, a lot in order that she bragged she and her daughter have been extra lovely than the ocean nymphs, the Nereids. Dangerous transfer.
The Nereids weren’t followers of the comparability, and neither was Poseidon, the god of the ocean (and apparently not huge on constructive suggestions). As revenge, he despatched a sea monster, Cetus to trash the dominion like an historic Greek Godzilla.
To calm issues down, Andromeda was chained to a rock as a sacrifice, (Thanks, Mum!). Fortunately, Perseus swooped in and saved her, most likely questioning what sort of household drama he’d simply landed in. Nonetheless, Poseidon wasn’t accomplished with Cassiopeia. As a ultimate cosmic punishment, he tossed her into the celebs as a constellation, endlessly caught on a throne and, simply to rub it in, spending half the yr the other way up.
Perseids Meteor Bathe
Yearly, the Perseid meteor bathe lights up the night time sky and it’s probably the greatest and brightest meteor showers you possibly can see!
So, what precisely is occurring up there?
Perseids Meteor bathe. Within the background we are able to see very distinctly The Plough, often known as The Huge Dipper. Picture Credit score: Yanina Metodiva
Meteors are tiny items of house rock or mud. A lot of them come from comets, that are icy, dusty objects that orbit the Solar. As a comet will get nearer to the Solar, it begins to warmth up and bits break off. Generally, these bits find yourself within the path of Earth’s orbit.
When Earth passes by this path of particles, these little bits hit our ambiance at unbelievable speeds, typically as quick as 36 miles per second (that’s over 100 instances sooner than a jet airplane!). The air in entrance of the meteor will get squashed and superheated, inflicting the meteor to deplete in a flash of sunshine. These are the “capturing stars” we see within the sky. The smaller ones depart a fast streak, whereas bigger ones would possibly even explode into vivid fireballs.
In 2025, the Perseids meteor bathe can be energetic from 17th July to 24th August and can radiate from the constellation itself within the North sky. The variety of meteors builds up slowly every night time, peaking round 12th August. That night time ought to provide the greatest probability to see probably the most meteors, particularly if the sky is darkish and clear.
So seize a blanket, head someplace with as little gentle as potential, and benefit from the present! No telescope wanted, simply your eyes and a little bit of persistence.
