August’s Sturgeon Moon to Illuminate Skies on August 9th

For those captivated by lunar phenomena, whether for its cultural significance or simply its visual beauty, August’s full moon promises a noteworthy celestial event. The forthcoming illumination holds both temporal and seasonal relevance within the lunar calendar.

The full moon will reach its peak at 3:55 am Eastern Time on Saturday, August 9th, following the previous full moon which occurred on July 10th. NASA designates this particular full moon as the Sturgeon Moon, a name rooted in historical practices used by early cultures to monitor time and track seasonal transitions.

The lunar cycle, an approximate 29.5-day orbit around Earth, dictates the shifting appearance of the moon as observed from our planet. While we consistently view the same lunar hemisphere, the portion illuminated by sunlight varies throughout its journey, creating the distinct phases we recognize. These phases encompass eight primary stages: the New Moon, when it is positioned between Earth and the sun; the Waxing Crescent, displaying a small sliver of light on the right side (as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere); First Quarter, with half of the moon illuminated on the right; the Full Moon – the period of complete illumination; Waning Gibbous, exhibiting diminishing light on the right; Last Quarter (or Third Quarter), revealing a half-moon with the left side lit; and finally the Waning Crescent, before returning to darkness.

Looking ahead, the subsequent full moon is projected for September 7th, 2025, according to calculations by Royal Museums Greenwich.