July 31, 2012|By Scott Dance
Wednesday, the first of two full moons in August rises, and sky-watchers will get a rare view of it.
The moon technically reaches its “full” phase at a precise moment, not on a day, and the moment often falls when the moon hasn't yet risen or during the daytime. But Wednesday, it happens at 11:28 p.m. (Not that the amateur observer will be able to tell much difference.)
In August, it’s known as the Full Sturgeon Moon, the Green Corn Moon or Full Red Moon. Look out for it tonight as well, just shy of its full phase.
A second full moon arrives Aug. 31. While that is commonly called a "Blue Moon," it isn't one under the historical definition of the term. Traditionally, a Blue Moon is the third full moon in a season with four full moons, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
It will be a Blue Moon as most people know it, but technically, that one will be the Full Fruit Moon, the last before the autumnal equinox.
Have a weather question? E-mail me at sdance@baltsun.com or tweet to @MdWeather.