Worldwide skywatchers are mesmerized by the August full moon of 2025, as the Sturgeon Moon illuminates the night sky (pictures).
The skies have been ablaze with a celestial spectacle, as the Sturgeon Moon graced our night sky on August 9, 2025. Named after the sturgeon fish, which were once plentiful in the Great Lakes region, this full moon is a significant cultural and astronomical event.
The Sturgeon Moon, also known as the Red Moon, is so named because its colour can appear reddish due to summer haze scattering the moonlight when it rises. This year, the moon's dramatic yellow-orange glow was captured by photographers across the globe, including Tayfun Coskun, who provided a highly detailed view of the Sturgeon Moon with dark lunar seas, mountain ranges, and impact sites visible.
Meanwhile, Nazli Zeynep Karabulut captured a stunning view of the Sturgeon Moon between New York's iconic skyscrapers, while Riccardo De Luca recorded the moon rising above the historic Colosseum in Rome. Max Guliani posted a series of impressive moonrise shots to his X account, showcasing the full lunar disk looming large between the iconic skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan.
The Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes knew the Sturgeon Moon as the 'Ricing Moon', as it was the time when wild rice would be harvested.
But the celestial show is far from over. Next month's full moon phase is set to be even more spectacular, with a total lunar eclipse scheduled for Sept. 7-8, 2025. During this event, the Earth's shadow will cast a deep red hue on the moon, known as the blood moon effect, caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere. The moon will appear slightly larger than usual because the eclipse occurs close to the moon’s perigee (its closest point to Earth).
This eclipse will be visible from parts of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Ocean. If you're lucky enough to be in one of these regions, you'll witness a truly breathtaking sight - the Earth's natural satellite temporarily transformed into a red "blood moon" for skywatchers. Gary Hershorn captured a series of shots that featured the full moon resplendent alongside the Statue of Liberty, including one well-timed composition that captured a passenger jet traversing the lunar disk on Aug. 10, 2025.
Each full moon is a prized target for astrophotographers worldwide, and the Sturgeon Moon and the upcoming blood moon eclipse are no exception. If you capture an image of the full Sturgeon Moon or the blood moon eclipse, we'd love to see it! Please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to our email address, and we'll share your work with our readers.
In conclusion, the Sturgeon Moon and the forthcoming blood moon lunar eclipse are significant both culturally and astronomically, offering sights rich in symbolism and natural beauty. Don't miss out on this celestial spectacle - mark your calendars for the next full moon phase and prepare for an unforgettable night sky experience!
| Event | Date | Details | |-------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Sturgeon Moon 2025 | August 9, 2025 | Full moon named after sturgeon fish; reddish tint due to summer haze; symbolizes strength and community connection[4][5][1] | | Next Blood Moon Eclipse | September 7, 2025 | Total lunar eclipse visible in Asia, Australia, and Pacific; deep red color; near perigee making moon appear slightly larger[2][3] |
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