Last night, sky watchers around the world were treated to views of the so-called sturgeon supermoon. According to NASA, via the Maine Farmers’ Almanac, August’s full moon is called the sturgeon moon because Algonquin tribes knew that large fish were more easily caught at this time of year. It is also one of the largest full moons of 2023, when the moon appears about 10 percent larger than average as it approaches its closest point in orbit—the next supermoon of this year takes place on August 31. Though the moon might appear larger and brighter, the size difference is actually so small that a casual observer would probably never notice. Nevertheless, photographers across the globe captured the event: Here are 14 of the most super images of this year’s sturgeon supermoon.
Views of the Sturgeon Supermoon
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![A small group of adults and children standing on a hill is silhouetted by the full moon, seen through a long lens.]()
Read moreA family stands in front of the full moon, known as the sturgeon moon, in Arguineguín, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, on August 1, 2023. #
Borja Suarez / Reuters -
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![A reddish moon is seen near the horizon, slightly squashed by atmospheric distortion, behind a lighthouse on a small island.]()
Read moreThe sturgeon supermoon rises behind the Graves Light, at the entrance to Boston Harbor, on August 1, 2023. #
Joseph Prezioso / AFP / Getty -
![Two parrots cling to a branch, seen in silhouette in front of a full moon.]()
Read moreParrots hang on a bare branch in front of the full moon, in The Entrance, Australia, on August 1, 2023. #
Sebastian Gollnow / Picture Alliance / Getty -
![A full moon, partially blocked by clouds, rises behind the New York City skyline.]()
Read moreThe moon rises behind the New York City skyline on August 1, 2023. #
Fatih Aktas / Anadolu Agency / Getty -
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![People stand beside ancient ruins as a full moon rises in the background.]()
Read moreThe full moon rises over the ancient temple of Poseidon, on Cape Sounion, Greece, on July 31, 2023. #
Costas Baltas / Anadolu Agency / Getty -
![A police officer is seen standing silhouetted by the full moon.]()
Read moreThe supermoon rises behind a police officer standing watch in Van, Turkey, on July 31, 2023. #
Ali Ihsan Ozturk / Anadolu Agency / Getty -
![A full moon rises, seen behind a cathedral and a basilica.]()
Read moreThe sturgeon moon rises behind the steeple of St Paul's Pro-Cathedral and the dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Valletta, Malta, on August 1, 2023. #
Darrin Zammit Lupi / Reuters -
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![A cable car is seen in silhouette in front of a full moon.]()
Read moreA cable car moves toward Sugarloaf Mountain as a supermoon rises in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 1, 2023. #
Silvia Izquierdo / AP -
![The full moon rises, seen through a cluster of small, blurry lights.]()
Read moreThe full moon rises over Gaza City on August 1, 2023. #
Sameh Rahmi / NurPhoto / Getty -
![The full moon rises in the background behind a statue.]()
Read moreThe full moon rises behind the Liberty Monument in Nicosia, Cyprus, on August 1, 2023. #
Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty -
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![The full moon is seen behind the head of the Statue of Liberty.]()
Read moreThe sturgeon moon, 99 percent full, rises behind the Statue of Liberty, in New York City, on July 31, 2023, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. #
Gary Hershorn / Getty -
![Five people stand on a hillside silhouetted by the full moon.]()
Read morePeople stand with the full moon in the background in Arguineguín, Gran Canaria, Spain, on August 1, 2023. #
Borja Suarez / Reuters -
![The moon rises over the horizon, behind a field.]()
Read moreThe moon rises behind a field of sunflowers in the Çatalca district of Istanbul, Turkey, on July 31, 2023. #
Isa Terli / Anadolu Agency / Getty -
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![A passenger aircraft flies in front of the full moon.]()
Read moreA passenger aircraft flies in front of the full moon, as seen from Toulouse, France, on August 1, 2023. #
Charly Triballeau / AFP / Getty
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