The full Sturgeon Moon illuminated the night sky on August 9, 2025, captivating skywatchers around the world.
Time lapse of the August full moon emerging out of the smoky haze behind Reunion Tower.#moon #fullmoon #SturgeonMoon #dfwwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/vIpFqFxGyo
— Matt Lantz (@mattlantz) August 10, 2025
The moon, known for its association with the abundant lake fish during this time of year, rose magnificently just days before the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Astrophotographers seized the opportunity to capture spectacular images of the celestial event.
In New York, the full moon was photographed rising between the Empire State Building’s spire. Over in San Jose, California, a high-contrast, detailed shot showcased the moon’s surface above Mt. Hamilton.
It’s nighttime on the far side of the Moon.
How can we tell? The Moon’s near side will be fully lit tonight – it’s a full moon. The Moon, like Earth, has a day side and a night side.
Learn how moon phases work at https://t.co/w54NbSKlNq, and enjoy this weekend’s full moon! pic.twitter.com/aDLOhwIDl8
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) August 8, 2025
The historic Colosseum in Rome was beautifully framed by the reddish Sturgeon Moon, while in Istanbul, the moon was captured between the supports of the Bosphorus Bridge.
In Greece, the moon’s rise was documented near the ancient temple of Poseidon close to Athens.
Augusts full Sturgeon/Corn Moon rising at Stonehenge on Saturday evening 🤩🌽🌕🌙
photo credit Nick Bull 🙏#fullmoon #moon #summer #August #sturgeonmoon #STONEHENGE #cornmoon pic.twitter.com/muetoY27if
— Stonehenge U.K (@ST0NEHENGE) August 10, 2025
Global skywatchers enjoy sturgeon moon
Observing the full moon can be challenging due to its brightness, which can hinder dark adaptation and minimize shadow detail on the lunar surface.
However, prominent features like the ray systems emanating from craters such as Tycho, Copernicus, Proclus, and Petit are still readily observable. Tycho crater, located in the lunar south, boasts some of the most impressive rays. The crater itself stretches approximately 53 miles (85 kilometers) across, while its rays cover much of the Moon’s nearside, even extending north of the lunar equator.
The Sturgeon Moon also bears significance for several Native American tribes. The Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes region, for instance, refer to it as the “Ricing Moon” as it signals the time for the wild rice harvest. As skywatchers continue to marvel at the images of the Sturgeon Moon, there’s even more excitement ahead.
Next month’s full moon in September 2025 will feature a total lunar eclipse, offering a “blood moon” spectacle for observers in Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa.
