NEWZ TUBE, World - Get ready, this August 2025, specifically on August 9th, a stunning celestial phenomenon will occur. The Sturgeon Moon will reach its peak illumination on Saturday at 3:55 AM EDT. For those of you who want to see this beautiful natural phenomenon, the full moon will be visible on Friday night, August 8th, 2025. The full moon will look beautiful, of course, provided the weather is favorable. Not only will the Sturgeon Moon be visible, but the Perseid meteor shower will also occur a few days later. This meteor shower is predicted to peak on August 12th and 13th. However, it turns out that the Sturgeon Moon and the Perseid meteor shower are related. Meteor observers say that if the full moon is bright, it will actually interfere with meteor shower observations. Nevertheless, let's hope that these two natural phenomena will display their beauty to the fullest.
What is a Sturgeon Moon?
Every August, the night sky is often adorned with a special full moon, known as the Sturgeon Moon. Despite its unique name, there's no specific astronomical phenomenon that distinguishes this moon. It has more historical and cultural significance, although its occurrence can always be explained scientifically. Astronomically, the Sturgeon Moon is simply a full moon that occurs in August. This name comes from the traditions of Native American tribes, particularly the Algonquin people who lived around the Great Lakes of North America. They named this full moon the Sturgeon Moon because sturgeon (a type of large, ancient fish) are abundant and easiest to catch in those lakes during August. Thus, the name "Sturgeon" does not refer to an astronomical feature of the moon itself, but rather to a natural event that occurs on Earth during this full moon. This naming tradition is also carried out for other full moons, such as the Wolf Moon (January) or the Flower Moon (May).
Why Does It Always Occur in August?
The reason why the Sturgeon Moon always occurs in August is simple and logical. A full moon is the phase in which the moon is on the opposite side of the sun, with Earth between them, so its entire surface is illuminated from Earth. The lunar phase cycle, from one full moon to the next, takes approximately 29.5 days. Because of this duration, each full moon routinely occurs in a different month throughout the year. The full moon that occurs every August, regardless of the exact date, is traditionally referred to as the Sturgeon Moon. So, the Sturgeon Moon phenomenon occurs every year in August because: It's the traditional name given to the full moon in that month. Scientifically, it's simply a full moon phase that happens to fall in the August calendar.
More Than Just a Full Moon
While the Sturgeon Moon is a regular occurrence, it can sometimes coincide with other astronomical phenomena that make it seem even more special. For example, a Sturgeon Moon can be a Supermoon if the full moon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee). This makes the moon appear slightly larger and brighter than usual. This event can also be a great time to observe the night sky. Often, the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August, providing a spectacular celestial spectacle. While the Sturgeon Moon doesn't have any astronomical oddities, it remains a beautiful reminder of the connection between nature, the calendar, and ancient traditions.***
