The full moon in August is often called the Sturgeon Moon because it occurs at the time of year when the sturgeon of the Great Lakes are most readily caught.

It has also been dubbed the Green Corn Moon, Grain Moon and the Full Red Moon for the reddish hue it often takes on in the summer haze. Buddhists refer to the August full moon as Nikini Poya, while Hindus call it Narali Poornima.

Some say the Sturgeon Moon symbolizes endurance and willpower, since the ancient fish has survived for over 100 million years.

The 2024 Sturgeon Moon is also a supermoon and a seasonal blue moon.

A supermoon occurs when the full moon is at perigee — closest to Earth in its orbit — making it appear larger when viewed from our planet.

The rare seasonal blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in a single three-month astronomical season, instead of the usual three.