Sturgeon Moon: August's Full Moon Explained
The Sturgeon Moon is the full moon traditionally associated with August. In 2027, it reaches its full phase early on August 17 and passes through the edge of Earth’s shadow in a penumbral lunar eclipse.
The name comes from the lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes and other North American waterways. These large, ancient fish were once far more abundant and have long held practical and cultural importance for Indigenous peoples around the Great Lakes.
Sturgeon Moon 2027
- Full moon
- August 17
- Exact time
- 3:29 AM EDT
- Moonrise
- 7:35 PM
- Look toward
- East-Southeast
When is the Sturgeon Moon?
The Sturgeon Moon is August’s full moon. In 2027, the Moon will reach its full phase on August 17 at 3:29 a.m. EDT, or 12:29 a.m. PDT. Check the fact sheet above for your location’s exact date and time.
Because the full phase occurs overnight across North America, the evening of August 16 into the morning of August 17 is the best time to see it. It will also appear nearly full on the adjacent nights.
Sturgeon Moon dates by year
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Mon, August 19 |
| 2025 | Sat, August 9 |
| 2026 | Fri, August 28 |
| 2027 | Tue, August 17 |
| 2028 | Sat, August 5 |
| 2029 | Thu, August 23 |
| 2030 | Tue, August 13 |
| 2031 | Sat, August 2 |
| 2032 | Fri, August 20 |
| 2033 | Wed, August 10 |
Times shown in ET
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
The standard explanation is that lake sturgeon were more readily caught in the Great Lakes and other large waterways during late summer. The name was later popularized through North American almanacs and became the conventional label for August’s full moon.
The fish behind the name
Lake sturgeon are among the largest and longest-lived freshwater fish in North America. They have existed in some form for roughly 150 million years, but overharvesting and habitat loss caused their populations to collapse during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Restoration efforts are now underway across their former range. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes how Tribal Nations and conservation partners are restoring lake sturgeon and their habitats, including rivers connected to the Great Lakes.
Other names for August’s Moon
However, not every late-summer moon name centers on fish. Northern Michigan University’s Center for Native American Studies records *Minoomini Giizis*, or Grain (Wild Rice) Moon, for August in one Anishinaabe moon cycle.
Corn Moon and Grain Moon also appear in August moon lists, reflecting crops that mature toward the end of summer. (Note: Corn Moon can also refer to September’s full moon.)
Will the 2027 Sturgeon Moon turn red?
No. The August 17 event is a penumbral lunar eclipse, which means the Moon passes through the lighter outer part of Earth’s shadow. It won’t enter the darker central shadow that produces the missing “bite” of a partial eclipse or the deep red color of a total lunar eclipse.
The eclipse will be visible from the Pacific and the Americas, although the effect will be subtle. It runs from 1:24–5:03 a.m. EDT, with greatest eclipse at 3:14 a.m. EDT. On the Pacific coast, it runs from 10:24 p.m. PDT on August 16 until 2:03 a.m. PDT on August 17, with greatest eclipse at 12:14 a.m. PDT.