August Full Moon 2027 (Sturgeon Moon): Date, Time & Eclipse
The Full Moon in August 2027 — traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon — occurs on Tuesday, August 17, at 07:29 GMT/UTC (3:29 AM EDT). The Moon will be located in the constellation Capricornus. It will also be a Micromoon and coincide with a penumbral lunar eclipse. The lunar disk will look bright and round for several nights, especially on August 16, 17, and 18.
Want to know exactly when the Sturgeon Moon rises in your city and what stars are nearby? Use the free astronomy app Sky Tonight. Read on to learn when to see the August Full Moon, why it’s called the Sturgeon Moon, and what to expect from the eclipse.
Contents
- August Full Moon 2027 at a glance
- Moon phases in August 2027: dates and times
- What constellation is the August Full Moon in?
- August Micromoon 2027
- August Full Moon and the penumbral lunar eclipse
- August Full Moon name: why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
- Raksha Bandhan Moon 2027
August Full Moon 2027: Frequently asked questions
- When is the Sturgeon Moon in 2027?
- Why is the August Full Moon called the Sturgeon Moon?
- Where is the August Full Moon in the sky?
- Is the August 2027 Sturgeon Moon a Supermoon?
- Is the August 2027 lunar eclipse a Blood Moon?
- Will the August Full Moon look orange?
- When is the next Full Moon?
- When is the next Sturgeon Moon?
- August Full Moon 2027: key takeaways
August Full Moon 2027 at a glance
- Date: August 17, 2027
- Peak time: 07:29 GMT/UTC (3:29 AM EDT)
- Looks full: August 16–18
- Name & meaning: Sturgeon Moon — linked with the late-summer sturgeon fishing season around the Great Lakes
- Where in the sky: constellation Capricornus
- Path across the sky: the Moon will stay relatively low for many Northern Hemisphere observers and climb high for many Southern Hemisphere observers
- Special features: Micromoon and penumbral lunar eclipse
Moon phases in August 2027: dates and times
You can see how the Moon will look in the sky on any chosen date in the Sky Tonight app: tap the Calendar icon, open the Moon tab, and select any date. You will see an accurate 3D image of the Moon, which reflects the angular size and orientation of the real Moon as seen from your location.
Here are the exact dates and times for the key lunar phases in August 2027:
- New Moon: August 2, 10:05 GMT/UTC (6:05 AM EDT)
- First Quarter: August 9, 04:54 GMT/UTC (12:54 AM EDT)
- Full Moon: August 17, 07:29 GMT/UTC (3:29 AM EDT)
- Last Quarter: August 25, 02:27 GMT/UTC (August 24, 10:27 PM EDT)
- New Moon: August 31, 17:41 GMT/UTC (1:41 PM EDT)
Did you know? Although the Full Moon is impressive to the naked eye, the quarter phases are often better for exploring the lunar surface through binoculars or a telescope. Shadows along the terminator — the line between lunar day and night — make craters, mountains, and ridges stand out more clearly.
For the complete schedule of Moon phases in August 2027, check our interactive Moon Calendar.
When is the New Moon in August 2027?
August 2027 has two New Moons in time zones from UTC−12 through UTC+6. The first occurs on August 2 at 10:05 GMT/UTC (6:05 AM EDT). It will pass directly in front of the Sun, producing a total solar eclipse. Totality will be visible along a narrow path crossing southern Spain, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean. Near Luxor, Egypt, totality will last up to about 6 minutes 23 seconds, making this one of the longest total solar eclipses of the 21st century.
The second New Moon occurs on August 31 at 17:41 GMT/UTC (1:41 PM EDT). As the second New Moon in one calendar month, it is popularly called a Black Moon. The Moon itself will not be visible, but the dark sky around this date will be ideal for observing faint stars and deep-sky objects.
When is the Full Moon in August 2027?
The August Full Moon occurs on Tuesday, August 17, 2027, at 07:29 GMT/UTC (3:29 AM EDT). At this moment, the Moon is opposite the Sun in Earth’s sky, so the side facing us appears almost completely illuminated. To observers, the Moon looks full for about a day before and after this moment.
In North and South America, the exact Full Moon moment falls during the night of August 16–17. In Europe, it occurs on the morning of August 17, while in Asia and Oceania, it happens later that day.
Best time to see the August Full Moon 2027
For most observers, the best time to see a Full Moon is around local moonrise, when it may appear unusually large because of the Moon illusion and take on a golden hue near the horizon. Moonrise also makes it easier to photograph the lunar disk alongside buildings, trees, or natural landscapes.
For observers in the Americas, the evening of August 16 will be closest to the exact Full Moon. In Europe, Asia, and Oceania, look around moonrise on August 17.
This table shows the exact Full Moon time and the closest moonrise and moonset in different cities:
| City | Time zone | Exact Full Moon | Closest moonrise | Closest moonset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, USA | EDT (UTC−4) | August 17, 3:29 AM | August 16, 7:35 PM | August 17, 6:22 AM |
| Los Angeles, USA | PDT (UTC−7) | August 17, 12:29 AM | August 16, 7:24 PM | August 17, 6:35 AM |
| London, UK | BST (UTC+1) | August 17, 08:29 | August 17, 20:14 | August 17, 05:51 |
| Paris, France | CEST (UTC+2) | August 17, 09:29 | August 17, 20:59 | August 17, 06:47 |
| Beijing, China | CST (UTC+8) | August 17, 15:29 | August 17, 19:03 | August 17, 05:09 |
| Tokyo, Japan | JST (UTC+9) | August 17, 16:29 | August 17, 18:23 | August 17, 04:40 |
| Sydney, Australia | AEST (UTC+10) | August 17, 17:29 | August 17, 17:24 | August 17, 06:19 |
All times are local. Moonrise and moonset times may vary slightly depending on the observer’s exact location, elevation, and local horizon.
Want the exact moonrise time for your location? In Sky Tonight, search for the Moon and tap on it. Open Events to see moonrise and moonset times for your location, or check Figures for the current phase, illumination, and brightness.
What constellation is the August Full Moon in?
In the sky, the August Full Moon 2027 will be positioned in the constellation Capricornus. According to astrologers, it will be in the sign of Aquarius.
The difference comes from the way astrology and astronomy divide the sky — and from the slow shift caused by Earth’s axial precession. Learn more in our infographic: 12 Zodiac Signs vs. 13 Constellations of the Ecliptic.
August Micromoon 2027
The Sturgeon Moon on August 17 will be a Micromoon. At the moment of the Full Moon, the Moon will be 405,078 km (251,704 miles) from Earth, and its apparent diameter will be about 29.5 arcminutes. An average Full Moon appears roughly 31 arcminutes wide, so the difference will be difficult to notice with the naked eye.
A Micromoon occurs when a Full Moon is close to apogee, the farthest point from Earth in the Moon’s elliptical orbit. The Moon reaches apogee on August 15, roughly two days before the Full Moon. The August Micromoon will be slightly larger than the July 18 Buck Moon, which is the smallest Full Moon of 2027.
You can learn more about Supermoons and Micromoons in our infographic .
August Full Moon and the penumbral lunar eclipse
On August 17, 2027, the Full Sturgeon Moon will pass through Earth’s penumbra — the lighter outer part of our planet’s shadow — creating a penumbral lunar eclipse.
The eclipse will last from 05:24 to 09:03 GMT/UTC (1:24 to 5:03 AM EDT), reaching its maximum at about 07:14 GMT/UTC (3:14 AM EDT). At maximum, a little more than half of the Moon’s diameter will be inside the penumbra. However, the Moon will not enter Earth’s dark central shadow, or umbra.
As a result, there will be no dark “bite” taken out of the Moon and no dramatic red color. In fact, the eclipse will probably be unnoticeable to the naked eye. Any dimming around the eclipse maximum will be extremely subtle and may be easier to detect in carefully exposed photographs.
The entire eclipse will be visible from much of North and South America and the Pacific. Parts of western Europe and Africa may catch its beginning near moonset, while observers in eastern Australia and New Zealand may see the final stages after moonrise. From many parts of Asia, the Moon will be below the horizon during the event.
Learn how penumbral eclipses differ from partial and total eclipses in our complete lunar eclipse guide.
August Full Moon name: why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
The August Full Moon is traditionally known as the Sturgeon Moon. The name is commonly linked with Indigenous peoples living around the Great Lakes, where late summer was an important season for catching lake sturgeon and other fish.
Sturgeons are ancient fish whose ancestors appeared more than 200 million years ago. Some species can grow several meters long and live for more than a century. Today, many sturgeon populations are threatened by overfishing, dams, habitat loss, and water pollution.
August Full Moon alternative names
Different cultures have used names for the August Full Moon connected with harvests, ripening plants, animals, and seasonal weather. Names commonly associated with this Full Moon include:
- Flying Up Moon — a Cree name describing the time when young birds learn to fly
- Corn Moon — an Algonquin and Ojibwe name associated with gathering ripening corn
- Harvest Moon — a Dakota name marking the gathering of maturing crops
- Ricing Moon — an Anishinaabe name associated with harvesting wild rice
- Black Cherries Moon — an Assiniboine name referring to the ripening of chokecherries
- Mountain Shadows Moon — a Tlingit name inspired by the long shadows cast by mountains under the August Full Moon
- Blueberry Moon — an Ojibwe name connected with the wild blueberry harvest
- Wheat Cut Moon — an Anglo-Saxon name marking the cutting of wheat
- Grain Moon — a European name associated with the late-summer grain harvest
- Wyrt Moon, or Wort Moon — an Anglo-Saxon name connected with gathering herbs
- Lightning Moon — a European name associated with thunderstorms in late summer
In the Southern Hemisphere, August falls in winter, so seasonal names may include Snow Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, or Wolf Moon.
Sturgeon Moon spiritual meaning
In modern spiritual traditions, the Sturgeon Moon is often associated with resilience, inner strength, and deep emotional reflection. The symbolism comes partly from sturgeons themselves: ancient, enduring fish that move through deep water.
Some people use this Full Moon as a time to reflect on what has been growing beneath the surface, recognize personal progress, or let go of emotions they have avoided. The 2027 lunar eclipse may add themes of change or release in astrological interpretations.
Raksha Bandhan Moon 2027
In 2027, the August Full Moon also coincides with Raksha Bandhan, celebrated on Tuesday, August 17. This Hindu festival honors the bond of love, care, and protection between siblings.
During the celebration, sisters traditionally tie a decorative thread called a rakhi around their brothers’ wrists, and brothers offer gifts and promise support and protection. Today, the ritual is also shared between sisters, friends, and other loved ones.
Raksha Bandhan is observed on the Full Moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, which is why its date changes from year to year in the Gregorian calendar.
August Full Moon 2027: Frequently asked questions
When is the Sturgeon Moon in 2027?
The Sturgeon Moon reaches its exact Full Moon moment on August 17, 2027, at 07:29 GMT/UTC (3:29 AM EDT). For observers in the Americas, this falls during the night of August 16–17. The Moon will appear full for about a day before and after the peak.
Why is the August Full Moon called the Sturgeon Moon?
The August Full Moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because late summer was traditionally an important season for catching lake sturgeon around the Great Lakes. Many traditional Full Moon names reflect seasonal activities, plants, animals, and weather.
Where is the August Full Moon in the sky?
In 2027, the August Full Moon will be located in the constellation Capricornus. In astrology, you may see it described as an Aquarius Full Moon because zodiac signs and astronomical constellations are different systems.
Is the August 2027 Sturgeon Moon a Supermoon?
No. The August 2027 Sturgeon Moon is the opposite of a Supermoon — a Micromoon. It occurs close to apogee, the farthest point in the Moon’s orbit from Earth, so it will appear slightly smaller than an average Full Moon. The difference will be difficult to notice without photographs or careful measurements.
Is the August 2027 lunar eclipse a Blood Moon?
No. A “Blood Moon” usually refers to a total lunar eclipse, when the entire Moon passes through Earth’s dark umbra and turns reddish. On August 17, 2027, the Moon will pass only through the lighter penumbra. Any resulting shading will be extremely subtle and probably unnoticeable to the naked eye.
Will the August Full Moon look orange?
It can. The Moon often looks yellow, orange, or reddish when it is low above the horizon because its light passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere. The effect is strongest around moonrise and moonset and is unrelated to the penumbral eclipse.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon after the Sturgeon Moon occurs on September 15, 2027, at 23:04 GMT/UTC (7:04 PM EDT). It will be the Full Moon closest to the September equinox and is traditionally known as the Harvest Moon.
When is the next Sturgeon Moon?
The next Sturgeon Moon after August 17, 2027, will occur on August 5, 2028, at 08:10 GMT/UTC (4:10 AM EDT).
August Full Moon 2027: key takeaways
For the best view, look for the Sturgeon Moon around local moonrise on August 16 in the Americas or August 17 in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. It will appear full from August 16 through August 18 and will be positioned in the constellation Capricornus.
The August Full Moon will be a Micromoon and will coincide with a penumbral lunar eclipse. The eclipse peaks at about 07:14 GMT/UTC (3:14 AM EDT) on August 17, but its effect will be subtle and probably unnoticeable to the naked eye.
To get the exact moonrise time and Moon phase for your location, launch Sky Tonight, tap the Calendar icon and open the Moon tab.
We wish you clear skies and successful observations!
