Full moon tonight: The August ‘Sturgeon’ moon is getting upstaged by a lunar eclipse. Here’s when to see it

Much like a bad community theater production, the night sky will be full of drama this evening and into tomorrow. Right before the full “Sturgeon Moon” is about to shine its brightest, the Earth is going to upstage it, causing an almost total lunar eclipse tonight (Thursday, August 27, into Friday, August 28, 2026). This will be visible to those living in most of the Americas (sorry, Alaska and northwestern Canada), western Europe and western Africa. Let’s break all that down and talk about how to best stargaze. Why is August’s full moon called the Sturgeon Moon? Full moon names come from the natural world and Native American tradition. The Farmer’s Almanac published these monikers, further cementing them in the public consciousness. The Sturgeon Moon honors the lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes and beyond. During the late summer, these freshwater fish moved into shallower waters, making them easier to catch. Other names for the August full moon include “Green Corn Moon” or “Grain Moon.” What is a partial lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs only during a full moon when the Earth, sun, and moon line up. The Earth moves in between the sun and moon, blocking the light. The dar…