Full Moon in August 2022 - Sturgeon Moon in Northern Hemisphere & Snow Moon in Southern Hemisphere

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Whether the full moon in August 2022 is a Sturgeon Moon or a Snow Moon is definitely not rocket science to solve. I mean, it’s just simple physics.

The eighth full moon of 2022 in earth’s northern hemisphere is known as the Sturgeon Moon and will occur on Thursday, August 11 at 21:36 EST (Eastern Standard Time).

For folks living in southern hemisphere: let’s say Australians, they call the full moon in August 2022 a Snow Moon, not a buck moon, which will occur on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 12:36 at Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Wanna know why different full moon names in the different hemispheres and many more interesting facts about the full moon in August 2022? I would recommend you to keep reading! Let’s dive right in!!!

Why Different Full Moon Names in Different Hemisphere?

Just because there is an approx 6 months of seasonal difference between the northern and southern hemispheres, people living above and below the equator use different full moon names.

summer-and-winter-solstice-in-northern-and-southern-hemisphere — When there is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, there is the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Obviously, now you would be thinking that what could be the reason behind the seasonal difference between the two hemispheres? Well, it’s the earth’s tilt.

Just because the earth has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees, there is a seasonal mismatch between the southern and the northern hemisphere. See the above image for proper understanding.

However, If you wanna know more about the earth’s tilt and how it affects the seasons on the earth, you can check this article. I can bet you will love this piece of article.

Different Full Moon Names in Northern Hemisphere

For millennia, ancient humans have used different seasons as a guide to track the different full moon phases. Or, you can say for millennia, humans have used the full moon phases to track the changing season. However, seasons are not the only possible way to define different full moon names.

I mean the names given to the various full moon phases are based upon a couple of different sources. Out of all, the most famous and widely acknowledged full moon names come from the tribes of native American culture.

As per the legends, in order to keep track of changing seasons, the Algonquin tribal people used to follow the lunar calendar rather than following the solar calendar.

These full moon names were later adopted by Colonial Americans and European settlers. And, with time, these names were finally integrated with the modern (Georgian calendar) calendar.

Editor’s Choice: Full Moon Calendar 2022 (Dates & Names – Northern Hemisphere)

Full Moon in August 2022 – Sturgeon Moon in Northern Hemisphere

full-moon-in-august-2021-sturgeon-moon-northern-hemisphere — Credit: The Epoch Times

In northern hemisphere, the full moon in August is known as Sturgeon Moon. Because during this time of the year, there could be a large amount of freshwater fish can be easily found in the lakes as well as in the rivers.

Not to mention, this full moon will also be the second last full moon before the arrival of September Equinox. The September Equinox i.e the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere will occur on Wednesday, September 22, at sharp 21:04 Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Facts about Sturgeons

Did you know that the sturgeons are nowadays classified as highly vulnerable and critically endangered to extinction?

Therefore, because of their overfishing and, of course, harvesting for sturgeon caviars, several countries have enacted strict laws against the poaching, harvesting, and, as well as smuggling of Sturgeon fish.

Other Cultural Full Moon Names for August 2022 in Northern Hemisphere

Well, if you go somewhere away from your native place, you will see that local indigenous people have their own indigenous full moon names. For example:

In Indian Culture, the full moon in August is known as Shravana Purnima. Just to let you know that the full moon in Hindi is known as Purnima.
English Medival people call it a Corn moon.
Chinese people call the full moon in August a Harvest Moon.
Dakotah people call it the Moon When All Things Ripen.
Cherokee tribe people call it the Fruit Moon.
Colonial American People call it the Dog Day’s Moon.
Choctaw tribe people call it the Women’s Moon, etc.

Different Full Moon Names in Southern Hemisphere

You would be baffled to know that the full moon names used in the southern hemisphere are the same as the northern hemisphere, just the seasonal difference. Wanna know why???

Well, because most of the people living in the southern hemisphere (let’s say Australia or New Zealand) are none other than the European settlers.

In other words, one can say that European settlers, at first, integrated the native American full moon names into their modern Georgian calendar. And, later, many of these full moon names went with them to new places around the world.

Editor’s Choice: Full Moon Calendar 2022 (Dates & Names – Southern Hemisphere)

Full Moon in August 2022 – Snow Moon in Southern Hemisphere

full-moon-in-august-2021-snow-moon-southern-hemisphere — Image Credit: Medium

In earth’s southern areas, the full moon in August 2022 is known as Snow Moon. Because during this time of the year, you can see a large amount of snow on the ground.

Not to mention, this full moon will also be the second last full moon before the arrival of September Equinox. The September Equinox i.e the first day of spring in the southern hemisphere will occur on Friday, September 23, at sharp 12:04 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Other Cultural Full Moon Names for August 2022 in Southern Hemisphere

Well, if you go somewhere away from your native place, you will see that local indigenous people have their own indigenous full moon names. Sadly, that is not the case with the people living in the southern hemisphere.

However, for several days, I have been trying to get some detail regarding the full moon naming criteria for the Earth’s southern areas. But, I did not find any single piece of work related to that.

Not to mention, I did find one resource where it has been mentioned that the native people of the southern hemisphere (Māori People of New Zealand) didn’t assign a name to only the Full Moon phase of each month. Every night of the Moon had a name.

Therefore, due to these elaborated naming conditions, many in the Southern Hemisphere rely on the European-inspired Full Moon Names.

Latest Update

Just to let you know, one of my friends Retha Potgieter recently told me about the update on Full moon names in South Africa. Since September 2020, South Africa have their own unique full moon names.

As per the Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH), South Africans call the full moon in August a PEACE MOON. The Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH) is a non-profit company working to protect South Africa’s astronomical heritage.

The Centre’s mission is to record, preserve, and disseminate information about, South Africa’s tangible and intangible astronomical heritage. I would request you to visit this website at least once. They are doing really nice work.

When is the Next Full Moon in August 2022?

The next full moon in the northern hemisphere will occur on Thursday, August 11 at 21:36 EST (Eastern Standard Time). It will be known as the Sturgeon Moon. Okay, for the northerners, it will be Sturgeon Moon.

But, for the southerner, it will be a Snow Moon. Therefore, for southerners, the next full moon in August will occur on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 12:36 at Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Not to mention, on this day, the moon will be in Aquarius. At last, I wish you good luck with this epic moon gazing. And, do let me know about your amazing experience in the comment section.

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