Sturgeon Moon 2025: When and where to watch the rare 2- night full Moon and why is it special |
August’s full moon in 2025 is not an ordinary lunar event. It is known as the Sturgeon Moon, and this year it brings a rare and magical opportunity for viewers – a chance to watch the full moon shine in the sky on two consecutive evenings, glowing in the soft, golden light of dusk. This full moon is deeply based in seasonal meaning and traditional importance and beliefs. This full moon is called so due to the abundance of sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes during this time of year.
When and where to watch
The Sturgeon Moon will officially reach its full phase at 3:55 a.m. ET or 1:25 pm IST on Saturday, August 9, creating a unique opportunity for skywatchers in North America to watch the full moon rise on two consecutive evenings, both during the magical light of dusk.Typically, the best time to view a full moon rise is just after sunset on the evening it becomes full. This is when the moon is 100% illuminated and appears on the eastern horizon, beautified by the fading twilight. But sometimes, the timing allows for nearly identical moonrises on both the night before and the night after the official full moon, and this August is one of those rare times.
Why do two full Moons happen
NASA says the moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth, which is why it usually rises around 50 minutes later each day. But in August, that gap gets shorter, to only about 30 minutes. That’s because the full moon sits far south in the sky, below the celestial equator. It rises at a lower angle, so its path across the sky is shorter and more gradual, making it appear sooner the next evening than it normally would.
Will the Sturgeon Moon be visible in India
The full Sturgeon Moon aligns mostly with Shravana Purnima, that falls on the day of Raksha Bandhan, and begins in India at 2:12 pm IST on August 8. It will remain visible through 1:24 pm IST on August 9. Although the moment of full moon or “peak illumination” occurs simultaneously worldwide, the local time varies from region to region. For instance, in Delhi, it reaches fullness around 2:25 pm IST on August 9.So people in India can look up at the sky post sunset on the evening of August 8 or 9 to catch the Sturgeon Moon rising gracefully in the sky.
When to catch the Sturgeon Moon in New York
As a result, on Friday, August 8, in New York City, the moon will rise at 8:03 p.m. ET, just one minute after sunset, and on Saturday, August 9, it will rise at 8:32 p.m. ET, about 28 minutes after sunset. Both moonrises will occur during twilight, making them particularly stunning to watch. Although exact moonrise times vary by location, it is advised to check the local listings.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon
The August full moon gets its name from the time of year when sturgeon fish were historically easiest to catch in the Great Lakes, according to TimeandDate.com. The Anishinaabeg people, who are culturally related Indigenous peoples mainly located in the Great Lakes region of North America, call it the Wild Rice Moon, while NASA says that it’s also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon in other parts of North America because the crops begin to mature and are often ready for early harvest.
