Govind Tekale
The Sturgeon Moon, August’s full moon, will light up night skies on August 9, 2025, reaching peak illumination at 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time. Unlike most full moons, this one offers skywatchers in North America a special treat – the chance to see it rise at dusk on two consecutive evenings.
For those in New York City, the moon will rise at 8:03 p.m. ET on Friday, August 8, just one minute after sunset. On Saturday, August 9, it will rise at 8:32 p.m. ET, 28 minutes after sunset. Both moonrises will happen during twilight, creating ideal viewing conditions.
This unusual double viewing opportunity happens because in August, the full moon travels low in the southern sky when seen from mid-northern latitudes. Being far south of the celestial equator, it rises at a shallow angle to the horizon and stays in the night sky for less time. This positioning reduces the usual 50-minute difference between daily moonrises to about 30 minutes in August.
The Sturgeon Moon gets its name from Native American tribes who noted the abundance of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain during late summer. These prehistoric-looking fish, often called “living fossils,” can grow over 6 feet long and weigh around 200 pounds. Male lake sturgeon typically live 55 years, while females can survive up to 150 years, making them North America’s largest freshwater fish.
This moon has several other traditional names reflecting August activities. The Anishinaabeg people called it the Wild Rice Moon, while other North American tribes knew it as the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon. Some referred to it as the Lightning Moon or Red Moon, the latter describing the reddish tint it sometimes takes on in the hazy summer atmosphere.
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The August 2025 full moon will appear in the constellation Capricornus. It won’t rise very high above the horizon, creating what astronomers call the “Moon illusion” – when the moon appears larger near the horizon than when higher in the sky. Though this is just a visual effect, it adds to the spectacle.
For the best viewing experience, find an elevated location with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. While the naked eye works fine for observing the full moon, binoculars or a small telescope will reveal fascinating details on the lunar surface.
August 2025 offers another celestial treat – the Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12-13, though the bright waning gibbous moon (still at 84% illumination) will wash out many of the fainter meteors. Still, the Perseids are known for producing spectacular fireballs that can outshine even bright moonlight.
Following the Sturgeon Moon, September’s full moon (the Corn Moon) will occur on September 7. For parts of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific, it will bring a total lunar eclipse lasting 82 minutes. Unfortunately, North America won’t witness this eclipse as it will occur when the moon is below the horizon.
The 2025 Sturgeon Moon isn’t a Supermoon – we’ll have to wait until October 7 for the Harvest Moon, which will be 6.6% larger and 13% brighter than an average full moon. But August’s celestial spectacle still offers a perfect excuse to step outside, look up, and appreciate the night sky’s timeless beauty.
