LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Skywatchers in Kentucky and southern Indiana are in for a treat in the next few days.
The first Supermoon of the year will peak on Monday, Aug. 19, around 2:30 p.m. The August full moon is also referred to as the “Sturgeon Moon” after the native freshwater fish in the Great Lakes, which is more easily caught this time of year.
According to NASA, the Moon will appear full for three days starting Sunday morning through early Wednesday morning.
A “supermoon” occurs when the moon is in its new or full phase and within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, which is about 226,000 miles, according to NASA. Supermoons are the biggest and brightest full moons of the year and only happen a few times each year.
It’s also a Blue Moon, but don’t expect the Moon to appear blue. In this instance, NASA said the term “blue moon” is used when it’s the third full moon in a season of four full moons.
The WHAS11 Weather Impact Team expects low cloud coverage in Kentucky and southern Indiana, so skywatchers should have an easy time spotting the Moon in the night sky.
If you’re looking to get the best view, make sure you head away from the city lights.
Be sure to share any photos of the full Sturgeon Super Moon in the WHAS11 Kentucky/Indiana Cloud Watchers Facebook group. Click here to join the more than 15,000 Cloud Watchers across the region.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
