Supermoon August 2022: Will there be a Supermoon tonight - how to see the Sturgeon moon in Edinburgh

The final supermoon of the summer will be visible this week - but will Edinburgh be able to catch a glimpse?

Stargazers across Edinburgh are in for a treat with the final supermoon of the summer making its appearance, and the Perseids meteor show expected.

This Supermoon that will be visible this week is called the Sturgeon Supermoon and is the fourth and final one of the summer.

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon got its name from the Native Americans who relied heavily on sturgeon fish for survival.

So, when will you be able to catch the lunar spectacle in Edinburgh? Here’s everything you need to know about the night sky events.

What is a Supermoon?

A Supermoon appears in the night sky and looks much larger and brighter than the Moon we say on the average night.

The Natural History Museum defines it by saying they occur when a full moon happens while the moon is at its closest to Earth during its orbit.

When was the last Supermoon?

The last Supermoon peaked on 13 July, and was called the Buck Moon. This was the third one of the summer of supermoons.

The first Supermoon of the year occurred on 16 May and peaked at 12:15 am. This was called the Flower Supermoon.

The second was the Strawberry Supermoon which peaked on 14 June at 12:51pm.

Will there be a Meteor shower?

Meteor showers occur when the earth encounters a number of meteors at once. These are specific clouds of debris that originate from particular.

According to the Royal Museums Greenwich website, the Perseids meteor shower will happen this week.

The website states that it is called Perseids because “the meteors seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus. Astronomers call this point the meteor shower’s radiant”

The dates that Perseids will be at its maximum will be between 12 and 13 of August.

When is the Sturgeon Supermoon at its peak?

The Sturgeon Supermoon is forecast to be at its peak on 12 August at 2:36am. However, it will be visible from Tuesday 9 August.

What is the Met Office Forecast for Edinburgh?

Thursday

Thursday will be another cloudless day with unbroken sunshine across the whole region. Temperatures will feel warm to hot for most with some light onshore breezes.

Temperatures are expected to hit highs of 28°C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday

This period is expected to feel very warm to hot with plenty of sunshine and clear skies.

Friday will become cloudier and Saturday will be much of the same.

Some isolated showers may develop on Sunday.

What is the Full Moon Calendar for the rest of 2022?

• Sturgeon Moon - 12 August 2:36am
• Corn/Harvest Moon - 10 September 10:59am
• Hunter’s Moon - 9 October 9:55pm
• Beaver Moon - 8 November 11:02am
• Cold Moon - 8 December 4:08am