Top Astronomy Events in August 2025
From planetary conjunctions to summer meteor showers, we’ll introduce you to the top astronomical events in August 2025.
The full moon in August has peaked, but there is still time this month before the full moon begins to fade.
There are only four full moons left in 2025, so some may try to catch all of them while they have the chance.
But can you still see the full moon in August? Luckily, the answer is yes.
The August full moon, known as Sturgeon Moon, peaked, but it still looks full to those who missed it over the weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 sturgeon moon and the rest of the moon.
When was the full moon in August?
The full sturgeon moon in August peaked at 3:54am ET on August 9th early Saturday morning.
Can we still see the full moon in August after the peak?
yes!
According to NASA, the moon begins its next phase and appears full with the naked eye for several days before it becomes a waning Gibbs.
Why is it called Sturgeon Moon?
The name of the sturgeon comes from sturgeon, a freshwater fish that was once abundant in North American Great Lakes at this time of year. Sturgeons can measure over 6 feet in length and weigh about 200 pounds.
The fish dates back 136 million years ago. Native Americans and Lake Champlain, who live near the Great Lakes, once caught fish at the end of summer, which became a regular part of their diet. Today there are about 29 species of sturgeons.
What is the other name for Sturgeon Moon?
Other names for Sturgeon Moon include the following, according to the Old Farmers Yearbook:
- Corn Moon (the people of Algonquin and Ojibwe)
- Harvest Month (Dakota people)
- Mountain Shadow Moon (Tlingit People in the Pacific Northwest)
Tips for watching the moon this weekend
The moon will be visible without special tools, but those who want to see details of the moon’s surface can invest in binoculars overlooking the stars or backyard telescopes.
Depending on the time and date, those who want to see the moon and stars that night can try the following:
- Check what time the sun sets in your area
- Please check to see how long the moon will go up and set in your area
- Look at the moon while you’re in a dark place away from artificial light
- Let your eyes be adjusted for 15-20 minutes
- Check the weather in your area
When will the next full moon be?
The next full moon, known as Harvest Moon, occurs on Sunday, September 7th. This is when other full moons in 2025 are expected.
- Hunter’s Moon– Monday, October 6th
- Beaver Moon– Wednesday, November 5th
- Cold Moon– Thursday, December 4th
Contributions: Gretacross and Mary Wallas Holdridge, USA Today
