The August Full Moon
Sturgeon Moon
August's full moon, named for the great lake fish caught at this time.
The next Sturgeon Moon is full on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 07:00 UTC.
Why it's called the Sturgeon Moon
Lake sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, were most readily caught in late summer — so August's full moon became the Sturgeon Moon.
August's full moon takes its name from the lake sturgeon, an ancient, armored fish that fishing communities of the Great Lakes harvested most easily this month. Some sturgeon live over a century, which lends the name a certain weight.
It was also the Green Corn Moon, marking corn not yet ripe but ready to be eaten young, and the Grain Moon of the European harvest.
August's full moon is also known as the Green Corn Moon, the Grain Moon.
Watching the Sturgeon Moon
A full moon rises in the east around sunset and stays up all night, setting near sunrise — so any clear evening close to Fri, August 28 you can watch it climb once it gets dark. It looks biggest and most golden in the first hour after it rises, sitting low on the horizon.
Photographing it? A full moon is flatly lit and shows little crater relief — frame it against a landscape, hills or skyline just after moonrise for scale and warm colour. For sharp crater detail, shoot a night or two before or after full, when shadows return along the terminator.
Sturgeon Moon dates
| Year | Date (UTC) | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fri, August 28 | 07:00 |
| 2027 | Tue, August 17 | 08:36 |
| 2028 | Sat, August 5 | 06:24 |
| 2029 | Fri, August 24 | 01:43 |
| 2030 | Tue, August 13 | 10:30 |
Times are UTC, computed from lunar geometry — local clock times vary by your time zone.
Frequently Asked
When is the Sturgeon Moon in 2026?
The Sturgeon Moon in 2026 is full on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 07:00 UTC. It is the full moon of August.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
Lake sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, were most readily caught in late summer — so August's full moon became the Sturgeon Moon.
What else is the August full moon called?
Besides the Sturgeon Moon, August's full moon is also known as the Green Corn Moon, the Grain Moon.
Is the Sturgeon Moon a supermoon in 2026?
No — the 2026 Sturgeon Moon on Friday, August 28, 2026 is a regular full moon. It is not close enough to the Moon's perigee to count as a supermoon.