Sturgeon Moon: Pictures show rare full moon light up skies this weekend

Photographersaround the world have captured the rare 'Sturgeon Moon' lighting up skies this weekend and have taken to social media to share their best snaps.

This year's Sturgeon Moon has risen on both Saturday (August 9) and Sunday (August 10), offering two chances to witness the lunar spectacle. Named after North America's largest fish, the August full moon - known as the 'Sturgeon Moon', will be the last full one of summer 2025.

This name originates from the large number of sturgeon fish that were typically found in North America's Great Lakesaround this time of year. In the UK, it is also known as the Corn Moon, a nod to the start of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere when crops are abundant.

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What is the Sturgeon Moon?

A full Moon occurs when the Earth-facing side of the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun. Each month's full Moon is given a special nickname, and the Sturgeon Moon is the traditional name given to August's full Moon.

When to see the Sturgeon Moon in UK skies

For those who missed the Sturgeon Moon last night it will rise in the southeast and set in the west-southwest at around 7am on August 10. And if you miss it, there's a chance to see the full Moon rise again on Sunday night (August 10). It will rise just 10 minutes later at roughly 9.10pm, setting at around 8am the following morning.

Like this summer's Strawberry Moon and Buck Moon, the Sturgeon Moon won't rise very high above the horizon, meaning it could appear bigger than usual in a phenomenon called 'Moon illusion'.

An increasing number of people are reporting symptoms of 'full moon insomnia', attributing their vivid dreams, midnight awakenings, and difficulty falling asleep to the lunar cycle. And there may be some truth to these claims. Interest in lunar cycles has surged, with Google searches for this year's Sturgeon Moon increasing by 650 per cent.

A recent poll conducted by Dreams found that 62 per cent of respondents believe the moon affects their sleep. Nearly half (48 per cent) confirmed that their sleep is disrupted every time there is a full moon.

Additionally, 37 per cent reported having trouble falling asleep, 31 per cent experienced vivid or strange dreams, and 25 per cent woke up in the middle of the night. Dreams' sleep expert Sammy Margo said: "Multiple studies have found that during the full moon phase, people may experience shorter sleep durations, lower sleep efficiency, and reduced melatonin levels. So, while there's a strong psychological element to the full moon effect, biology may also be playing a part."

Did you see the Sturgeon Moon last night? Email me your photographs on paige.ingram@reachplc.com.