Supermoon Spectacle Tonight: How to See the Year’s Biggest, Brightest Moon

The eighth full moon of the year—the “Sturgeon Moon”—will reach peak illumination at 07:55 UTC on Saturday, 9 August 2025, just hours after swinging to within 363,400 km of Earth, placing it on the cusp of supermoon status and making it appear up to 7 percent larger and 15 percent brighter than an average full moon. Why it matters • Extended viewing window: Because the Moon rises nearly fully lit on both 8 and 9 August, photographers and casual sky-watchers will have two consecutive evenings to capture the lunar spectacle. • Double feature with the Perseids: The annual Perseid meteor shower peaks 12–13 August, and though an 84 percent-lit Moon will wash out faint meteors, the combination of bright fireballs and an enlarged lunar disc promises eye-catching night-sky drama. • Cultural resonance: Native American tribes named the August full moon for the surge of sturgeon caught in the Great Lakes; modern observers still use the moniker as a seasonal bookmark that signals late-summer harvests and festivals. When and where to look • Best Moon-rise: Check local listings for moonrise on 8 August; in New York City the disc clears the eastern horizon at 7:38 p.m. EDT, while Los Angeles sees it at 7:23 p.m. PDT. • Peak fullness: 3:55 a.m. EDT (07:55 UTC) on 9 August. Observers in Europe, Africa, and western Asia can catch the Moon at maximum brightness high in the predawn sky. • Optimal photography tips: Frame the Moon against a landmark during the first 20 minutes after rise for the biggest optical “moon illusion.” Use a telephoto lens (200 mm+) and keep ISO below 400 to preserve detail. What’s next The Sturgeon Moon kicks off a rare run of three full supermoons (August–October). September’s Harvest Moon will be even closer to perigee, and November delivers 2025’s largest supermoon; bookmarking these dates now helps SEO-savvy content planners ride a steady wave of lunar interest through autumn. Quick FAQ for searchers • Is the August 2025 full moon a supermoon? It falls within 90 percent of perigee, so many astronomers classify it as a borderline supermoon. • Does the bright Moon ruin the Perseids? You’ll still catch the shower’s trademark fireballs after midnight, but expect a reduced hourly rate of faint meteors. • Will the Moon look blue or red? The Sturgeon Moon’s hue depends on local atmospheric conditions; widespread wild-fire smoke or summer haze can tint it orange at moonrise. Keep these key phrases in mind—“August 2025 full moon,” “Sturgeon Moon meaning,” “supermoon viewing guide,” and “Perseid meteor shower schedule”—to stay ahead of the celestial conversation and drive organic search traffic all month long.