Sturgeon Moon August 28, 2026Blood Moon

When the Sturgeon Moon peaks, how far away and how bright it is, and how good the view will be.

An image of the moon, as it would appear on 2026-08-28 12:00:00+00:00. (Frame: 5749)

Rendering: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

Full moon
August 28, 2026
Illumination
100%
Distance
389,232 km
Apparent size
average
91
View score: Excellent

A premier night to look up, sky permitting.

  • 100% illuminated
  • deep partial lunar eclipse

About the Sturgeon Moon

The Sturgeon Moon reaches full phase on August 28, 2026. It is the full moon of August, named for the Great Lakes sturgeon most readily caught now.

Full moon is the point in the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle when the Moon sits opposite the Sun in the sky, so its Earth-facing side is fully lit. It rises around sunset, climbs highest near midnight, and sets near sunrise — visible all night, weather permitting.

How to see the Sturgeon Moon

The Sturgeon Moon sits about 390,675 km from Earth, close to the average Earth–Moon distance, so it appears a typical size in the sky.

For the best view, find the eastern horizon shortly after sunset on August 28, 2026; the Moon looks largest and most colorful when it is low, an illusion created by foreground landmarks. No equipment is needed, though binoculars sharpen the craters along the day–night line on the nights just before and after.

The partial lunar eclipse

The Sturgeon Moon of August 28, 2026 brings a deep partial lunar eclipse: about 96% of the Moon's disc slips into Earth's umbral shadow at greatest eclipse, leaving most of the face dimmed and reddened while a bright sliver stays in the lighter penumbra.

Greatest eclipse falls on 2026-08-28 (UTC); it is visible from the Americas, Europe and Africa. A lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye — no filters needed — and can only happen at full moon, when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up closely enough for Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon.

Frequently asked

When is the Sturgeon Moon in 2026?
The Sturgeon Moon reaches full phase on August 28, 2026. It rises around sunset that evening and is visible through the night.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
The name comes from traditional North American almanac usage: it is named for the Great Lakes sturgeon most readily caught now. The names were a way to track the seasons by the monthly full moon.
Is there an eclipse during the Sturgeon Moon?
Yes — a deep partial lunar eclipse on 2026-08-28 (UTC), with about 96% of the disc in Earth's shadow, visible from the Americas, Europe and Africa.
What is a full moon, exactly?
A full moon is the moment the Moon sits opposite the Sun, so the entire Earth-facing side is sunlit. It happens once per roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle and looks full to the eye for about a night on either side.

Every full moon in 2026

See the full 2026 full moon calendar, or the sunset & twilight times for golden-hour planning.