Summer heat, pop-up thunderstorms, travel plans… too many variables so we decided to cancel the full moon bonfire scheduled for Tuesday, August 1. But fear not, we have another opportunity on Wednesday, August 30. Look for more details for that event later this month.
If you want to help with future full moon bonfires, please send your contact information to SeabrookFullMoon@gmail.com.
Night sky observation opportunities on August 1:
- The International Space Station Flyover is on August 1 beginning at 9:03 pm going from northeast to southwest.
- Later in the month, the annual Perseids Meteor Shower will peak on August 13.
- A SpaceX launch is scheduled for July 30 at 7:52 pm and should be viewable from our beach.
Put these dates for the Full Moon Bonfires on your calendar:
- Wednesday, August 30 (the second of two full moons in August- a blue moon)
- Friday, September 29 (Dean will need help this night)
- Sunday, October 29 (The last day after the full moon when the moonrise is after sunset.
And finally, some August fun moon facts from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
- August was named after a major figure of the ancient Roman World, Augustus Caesar (63 B.C.–A.D. 14). He was the first Roman emperor (though he never claimed the title) and grandnephew of the previous ruler Julius Caesar (who named July after himself).
- August is the 8th month of the year in today’s Gregorian calendar, but it was the sixth month (Sextilus) of the year in Roman times. Augustus had the month of Sextilius renamed after himself in 8 B.C. This was the month of some of his greatest military victories.
How the full moon got its name:
Per The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
August – Full Sturgeon Moon: The sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were said to be most readily caught during this full Moon.
Other names:
- Black Cherries Moon (Assiniboine)
- Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe)
- Flying Up Moon (Cree)
- Harvest Moon (Dakota)
- Mountain Shadows Moon (Tlingit)
- Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe)
I found another website that says the Cherokee Indians called it the Fruit Moon and the English Medieval name was the Corn Moon.
Another website says the Chinese call it Harvest Moon.
-Submitted by Judy Morr