Will the sturgeon moon blot out the Perseids? What to know about August's full moon
While the next full moon will reach peak intensity on Aug. 9, the Perseids will offer their light show for several weeks. Viewing may be best this week while the moon is still beginning to wax toward fullness.
Here's what to know about the sturgeon moon in August and how it could impact Perseid viewing.
When will August's full moon peak?
The sturgeon moon will peak in the early morning hours at 3:55 a.m. Aug. 9, 2025.
The moon will appear full the night before, so astronomy buffs can look up into the evening sky Aug. 8 to spot the full moon.
Full moon could disrupt peak Perseids viewing
The Perseids, the year's best meteor shower, is set to peak overnight Aug. 12, three days after the full moon. The full moon will still appear bright, hindering observations of meteors, Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Society's newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator, told USA TODAY.
Lunsford recommended better viewing chances starting during the new moon, which took place July 24, because the skies will be darker overnight.
One of the best days to watch for meteors will be July 30, because two other meteor showers, alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids, will be taking place at the same time, according to Lunsford.
How far away from the Earth is the moon?
The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles.
At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it's at apogee.
When the moon is at perigee, it's 225,623 miles away.
How did the sturgeon moon get its name?
The name sturgeon moon comes from the lake sturgeon, native to the Great Lakes and traditionally a key food source for Indigenous tribes during this summer season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Michigan is home to lake sturgeon, one of the oldest species on the Great Lakes, though human efforts to eradicate the fish led to a steep decline since the 19th and 20th centuries. Statewide efforts are now working to increase the population with support from state, tribal and federal institutions.
Michigan features an annual sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties, with the February 2025 season taking just 17 minutes to fill the statewide limit.
What phase of the lunar cycle is the moon in now?
The moon is currently in its waxing crescent phase, at 16% illumination, according to Space.com. The moon's phases in August 2025 are:
First Quarter: Aug. 1
Full Moon: Aug. 9
Last Quarter: Aug. 16
New Moon: Aug. 23
Is the sturgeon moon a supermoon.
No, the sturgeon moon is not a supermoon.
What are the full moon names in 2025?
Here are all the full moons of 2025:
Wolf Moon: January
Snow Moon: February
Worm Moon: March
Pink Moon: April
Flower Moon: May
Strawberry Moon: June
Buck Moon: July
Sturgeon Moon: August
Corn Moon: September
Harvest Moon: October
Beaver Moon: November
Cold Moon: December
When will the corn moon peak?
The corn moon will peak Sept. 7, 2025.
The full moon will feature a total lunar eclipse, though it won't be visible in Michigan, per Space.com.
The Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sturgeon moon, Perseids to light up Michigan skies in August. Dates, times, viewing locations
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