It’s almost time for August’s full moon — which is named after a fish found in New York’s lakes and rivers — to fill the night sky.
Avid stargazers are in store for several celestial events this month, including the rise of the Sturgeon Moon just before the Perseids meteor shower peaks.
Here’s what to know about August’s full moon.
When will we see the Sturgeon Moon?
The full Sturgeon Moon will make its appearance on Saturday, Aug. 9, and will reach peak illumination at 3:55 a.m. EDT, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
August’s full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon as Native American tribes around the Great Lakes region and Lake Champlain were said to catch plenty of freshwater sturgeon around this time, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What else is August’s full moon called?
The Sturgeon Moon is also known as the Black Cherries Moon, Corn Moon and the Mountain Shadows Moon.
When will the Sturgeon Moon rise in the Rochester area?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, moonrise for the Rochester area will happen by roughly 8:50 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, and will set at 6:13 a.m. Sunday.
When will the Sturgeon Moon rise in the Westchester area?
Moonrise for the White Plains area will happen by roughly 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, and will set at 6:03 a.m. Sunday, the Old Farmer’s Almanac says.
What does Saturday’s weather forecast look like?
While the entire state has been affected by hazy skies from Canadian wildfire smoke in recent days, both Rochester and White Plains are in for some clear skies and low temperature in the mid-to-high 60s on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is the Harvest Moon, which will occur Sunday, Sept. 7. Moonrise in the Rochester area is roughly 7:37 p.m. and around 7:20 p.m. in the Westchester area.
What other celestial events are happening in August?
A few additional celestial events are taking place this month. Here’s when you should take a look at the night sky to try and catch a glimpse, according to NASA:
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: August’s Sturgeon Moon is almost here: When to see it in New York
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
