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6d ago

Sturgeon Moon to Rise Twice at Dusk on August 8–9

Skywatchers are mapping local moonrise times for consecutive dusk viewings.

Image
August's full moon, called the Sturgeon Moon, will be visible on Friday and Saturday.
People stand with the full "sturgeon moon" in the background, in Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, August 1, 2023.

Overview

  • The moon reaches peak illumination at 3:55 a.m. EDT on August 9, producing rare back-to-back full-moonrises at dusk for Northern Hemisphere viewers.
  • Exact moonrise times vary by location—for example, New York will see the moon at 8:03 p.m. ET on August 8 and 8:32 p.m. ET on August 9.
  • On August 12, the moon will pass within about 3.5° of Saturn and Neptune, offering a close conjunction best observed with binoculars or a small telescope.
  • Bright moonlight during the Perseid meteor shower peak on August 12–13 may wash out all but the brightest meteors.
  • Traditional names like Sturgeon Moon, Grain Moon and Corn Moon reflect seasonal harvests and the historic abundance of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes.