Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why the moon sometimes looks bigger and brighter than usual? If so, you might have witnessed a supermoon, a phenomenon that occurs when the full moon is closer to the Earth than normal. This makes the moon appear slightly larger and more luminous in the sky, creating a stunning spectacle for skywatchers.
This month, you have not one, but two chances to see a supermoon. The first one happened on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, and the second one will happen on Monday, Aug. 30, 2023. The first supermoon is also called the Sturgeon Moon, because of the fish that are found in the Great Lakes at this time of year. The second supermoon is also called a Blue Moon, because it’s the second full moon in the same month, which is a rare occurrence.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the supermoon show in August 2023, including how it looks, how it differs from a regular full moon, and how to capture it with your camera.
The First Supermoon: The Sturgeon Moon
The first supermoon of August 2023 rose on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at 1:33 p.m. EDT. However, it was best seen as it rose in the east that evening, opposite the setting sun. As it appeared, the moon was over 99% illuminated and had a diameter of about 33.5 arcminutes, which is about 7% larger than an average full moon. It was also about 14% brighter than an average full moon, because it was only 222,023 miles (357,311 kilometers) from Earth’s center. That’s about 30,000 miles (48,000 kilometers) closer than an average full moon.
The first supermoon of August 2023 was visible from all over the world, and many people captured stunning photos of it from different locations and perspectives. For example, some photos showed the supermoon rising behind famous landmarks, such as the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey, or the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Other photos showed the supermoon reflecting on water surfaces, such as the Lachine Canal in Montreal, Canada, or the Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some photos also showed the supermoon framed by natural or man-made structures, such as trees, hills, clouds or minarets.
The first supermoon of August 2023 was not only a visual treat, but also had some effects on Earth’s tides and gravity. Because the moon was closer to Earth than usual, it exerted a stronger gravitational pull on our planet, causing higher and lower tides than normal. This phenomenon is called a spring tide or a king tide. The first supermoon also slightly affected Earth’s rotation and shape, causing a small change in its speed and bulge.
The Second Supermoon: The Blue Moon
The second supermoon of August 2023 will rise on Monday, Aug. 30, 2023, at 11:37 p.m. EDT. It will be best seen as it sets in the west on Tuesday morning or rises in the east on Tuesday evening. As it appears, the moon will be over 99% illuminated and have a diameter of about 33.6 arcminutes, which is about 7% larger than an average full moon. It will also be about 14% brighter than an average full moon, because it will be only 222,043 miles (357,344 km) from Earth’s center. That’s only 20 miles (33 km) closer than the first supermoon.
The second supermoon of August 2023 will be even more special than the first one because it will be a blue moon. A blue moon is not actually blue in color; it’s just a name given to the second full moon in the same calendar month or season. This happens about once every two or three years; hence the expression “once in a blue moon”. The last blue moon occurred on Oct. 31, 2020; and the next one will occur on Jan. 31, 2025.
The second supermoon of August 2023 will also be visible from all over the world; and many people will try to take photos of it from different locations and perspectives. For example; some photos might show the blue moon setting behind famous landmarks; such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris; France; or the Statue of Liberty in New York; USA. Other photos might show the blue moon reflecting on water surfaces; such as Lake Victoria in Africa; or Lake Baikal in Russia. Some photos might also show the blue moon framed by natural or man-made structures; such as mountains; bridges; or skyscrapers.
The second supermoon of August 2023 will also have some effects on Earth’s tides and gravity; similar to the first one. Because the moon will be closer to Earth than usual; it will exert a stronger gravitational pull on our planet; causing higher and lower tides than normal. This phenomenon is called a spring tide or a king tide. The second supermoon will also slightly affect Earth’s rotation and shape; causing a small change in its speed and bulge.
How to Photograph the Supermoon
If you want to capture the beauty and wonder of the supermoon with your camera; you need to follow some tips and advice from experts and sources on moon photography. Whether you are using a smartphone or a DSLR camera; you need to consider some factors such as location; timing; composition; exposure; and focus.
- Location: Choose a place that has a clear view of the horizon and the moonrise or moonset. Avoid places that have too much light pollution or clouds. You can use apps or websites such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris or PhotoPills to find the best location and time for your shot.
- Timing: Plan ahead and arrive early to your location. You can use apps or websites such as Timeanddate.com or Mooncalc.org to find out the exact time of the moonrise or moonset in your area. You can also use apps or websites such as SkySafari or Stellarium to find out the position and phase of the moon in the sky.
- Composition: Use a tripod or a stable surface to avoid camera shake and blur. Use the rule of thirds or the golden ratio to balance your shot. Include some foreground elements such as buildings, trees, or people to add interest and scale to your shot. You can also use a telephoto lens or zoom in to make the moon appear larger in your frame.
- Exposure: Use manual mode or exposure compensation to adjust your settings according to the lighting conditions. You can use apps or websites such as Exposure Calculator or PhotoBuddy to find out the optimal settings for your shot. You can also use bracketing or HDR mode to capture different exposures and merge them later.
- Focus: Use manual focus or autofocus with spot metering to focus on the moon. You can use apps or websites such as DOF Calculator or DOFMaster to find out the depth of field for your shot. You can also use live view or magnify mode to check your focus.
Here are some examples of good and bad photos of the supermoon and why they are good or bad:
- Good photo: This photo shows the supermoon rising behind the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA. It has a good composition, exposure, and focus. It uses the rule of thirds to balance the shot, and includes a foreground element to add interest and scale. It uses manual mode to adjust the settings according to the lighting conditions, and manual focus to focus on the moon.
- Bad photo: This photo shows the supermoon over a city skyline. It has a bad composition, exposure, and focus. It uses the center of the frame to place the moon, which makes it boring and unbalanced. It does not include any foreground elements to add interest and scale. It uses automatic mode, which overexposes the moon and underexposes the city, and autofocus, which focuses on the city instead of the moon.
Conclusion
The supermoon show in August 2023 is a rare and beautiful phenomenon that you don’t want to miss. The first supermoon, also called the Sturgeon Moon, rose on Aug. 1, 2023, and was slightly larger and brighter than an average full moon. The second supermoon, also called a Blue Moon, will rise on Aug. 30, 2023, and will be even larger and brighter than the first one.
To enjoy and capture the supermoon show, you need to know some facts and tips about it, such as how it looks, how it differs from a regular full moon, and how to photograph it with your camera. By following these guidelines, you can create stunning photos of the supermoon that will impress your friends and family.
So don’t forget to look up at the sky on Aug. 30, 2023, and witness the beauty and wonder of the supermoon show. It’s a once in a blue moon opportunity that you don’t want to miss!
