August’s Sturgeon Moon: Timing and Viewing Opportunities

The late summer sky will be illuminated by a full moon this week, known as the sturgeon moon. This moniker originates from North American Indigenous traditions, who observed an abundance of sturgeon fish in lakes and rivers during August – hence the descriptive name. The celestial event also goes by alternative names such as the green corn moon, grain moon, or red moon, reflecting the sometimes reddish appearance caused by atmospheric haze during summer evenings.

According to astronomers at the Royal Museums Greenwich, the full phase of the sturgeon moon will occur precisely at 3:55 a.m. on August 9th. This timing provides unique viewing opportunities across North America, allowing for two successive rises of the moon – one just after sunset and another later in the evening.

For those preferring to avoid early wake-up calls, optimal visibility can be achieved shortly after sunset around 8:32 p.m. on August 9th, when the moon will appear prominently in the eastern sky. On August 8th, the full moon will grace the horizon a mere minute following sunset.

Weather conditions are expected to facilitate clear viewing across the region. The National Weather Service forecasts mostly clear skies with low temperatures around 63 degrees Fahrenheit on August 8th and slightly warmer at 64 degrees Fahrenheit on August 9th.

Looking ahead, the subsequent full moon is scheduled for September 8th. While this event will be a corn moon, it will coincide with a total lunar eclipse—a spectacle not visible from North America but observable in parts of Asia, Australia, and across the Pacific Ocean.