NEW YORK, Aug. 9, 2025 — Get ready to look up! The full sturgeon moon graces the sky on Saturday, Aug. 9, offering a dazzling celestial event.
The sturgeon moon, the second full moon of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, will appear in its full glory on August 9.
- The full sturgeon moon peaks on Saturday, Aug. 9, but is spectacular on both Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday.
- Its timing unfortunately dims the annual Perseids meteor shower, peaking Aug. 12-13.
- August’s full moon is also known as the green corn and grain moon.
- Catch the best view during dusk as the moon rises.
This celestial spectacle is named after the sturgeon fish, abundant in the Great Lakes of North America during the summer months. While it officially reaches full illumination at 3:56 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 9, it will appear full on both Friday evening and Saturday evening.
For the best viewing experience in North America, aim for moonrise during dusk on Friday, Aug. 8. Those on the West Coast will have a second opportunity to catch it rising shortly after sunset on Saturday, Aug. 9.
This lunar event might not be ideal for stargazers hoping to catch the Perseids meteor shower. The bright moonlight from the sturgeon moon will likely overshadow the fainter meteors during its peak from Aug. 12-13.
A full moon, known as a Sturgeon moon, rises over South Shields Lighthouse in the North East Of England.
PA Images via Getty Images
Best Viewing Times
A full moon always looks its most impressive as it ascends the eastern horizon at dusk. This month, the sturgeon moon rises around the same time the sun sets in North America, creating a beautiful pairing.
To find specific moonrise times for your location, consult a moonrise calculator. Here are a few examples:
- New York: Sunset at 8:04 p.m. EDT, moonrise at 8:03 p.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 8. Saturday, Aug. 9: sunset at 8:03 p.m. EDT, moonrise at 8:32 p.m. EDT.
- Los Angeles: Sunset at 7:48 p.m. PDT, moonrise at 7:48 p.m. PDT on Friday, Aug. 8. Saturday, Aug. 9: sunset at 7:47 p.m. PDT, moonrise at 8:21 p.m. PDT.
- London: Sunset at 8:37 p.m. BST, moonrise at 8:40 p.m. BST on Friday, Aug. 8. Saturday, Aug. 9: sunset at 8:36 p.m. BST, moonrise at 8:58 p.m. BST.
For the most dramatic views, find an elevated spot, an open field, or an east-facing coastline with an unobstructed view of the horizon. While your eyes are sufficient, binoculars or a small telescope can offer a closer look.
Upcoming Celestial Events
Mark your calendars for next month! September’s full moon, often called the corn moon, will be accompanied by a total lunar eclipse on Sunday, Sept. 8. This event will be visible in parts of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.
The eclipse will unfold in stages as the moon passes through Earth’s shadow. Totality, when the lunar surface appears dark and red, will last for 82 minutes. The entire event will span five hours and 27 minutes. Unfortunately, this eclipse will not be visible from North or South America.
Looking ahead, the next total solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 12, 2026. Its path of totality will cross eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain. For those in the contiguous U.S., the next total solar eclipse is slated for Aug. 22, 2044.
ONTARIO, CANADA – MARCH 14: A blood moon lights up the sky during the total lunar eclipse on March 14, 2025 in Ontario, Canada.
VCG via Getty Images
