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UK moon calendar
Moon phases in August 2026
August 2026 has 4 principal moon phases, with the new moon on 12 August 2026 and the full Sturgeon Moon on 28 August 2026. Below are exact UK times, a day-by-day table and the best nights for dark skies.
Moon phases in August 2026 (UK times)
Times are calculated with astronomy-engine and shown in UK clock time (GMT or BST). They are accurate to about a minute.
| Phase | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Last quarter | 6 August 2026 | 03:21 BST |
| New moon | 12 August 2026 | 18:37 BST |
| First quarter | 20 August 2026 | 03:46 BST |
| Full moon | 28 August 2026 | 05:19 BST |
The full moon in August 2026
The Sturgeon Moon is full on 28 August 2026 at 05:19 BST, rising over London at about 19:56.
Read the story behind the name on our full moon names pages.
Best nights for dark skies
The darkest skies this month fall around the new moon, roughly 9 August to 15 August. That is the time for meteor watching, the Milky Way and faint galaxies. In folk practice the new moon is also the traditional time to set intentions.
Day-by-day moon calendar for August 2026
Phase and illumination at midday; moonrise and moonset for London (other UK places differ by up to about an hour; see your town in our local guides).
| Date | Phase | Lit | Moonrise | Moonset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sat | Waning gibbous | 92% | 21:47 | 08:30 |
| 2 Sun | Waning gibbous | 85% | 21:59 | 09:46 |
| 3 Mon | Waning gibbous | 77% | 22:11 | 11:03 |
| 4 Tue | Waning gibbous | 67% | 22:25 | 12:23 |
| 5 Wed | Waning gibbous | 57% | 22:43 | 13:46 |
| 6 Thu | Last quarter | 46% | 23:08 | 15:13 |
| 7 Fri | Waning crescent | 34% | 23:46 | 16:39 |
| 8 Sat | Waning crescent | 24% | 00:41 | 17:57 |
| 9 Sun | Waning crescent | 14% | – | 18:57 |
| 10 Mon | Waning crescent | 7% | 01:55 | 19:40 |
| 11 Tue | Waning crescent | 2% | 03:24 | 20:09 |
| 12 Wed | New moon | 0% | 04:56 | 20:29 |
| 13 Thu | Waxing crescent | 1% | 06:26 | 20:45 |
| 14 Fri | Waxing crescent | 4% | 07:52 | 20:58 |
| 15 Sat | Waxing crescent | 10% | 09:14 | 21:09 |
| 16 Sun | Waxing crescent | 17% | 10:33 | 21:22 |
| 17 Mon | Waxing crescent | 25% | 11:50 | 21:35 |
| 18 Tue | Waxing crescent | 35% | 13:07 | 21:52 |
| 19 Wed | Waxing crescent | 44% | 14:23 | 22:13 |
| 20 Thu | First quarter | 54% | 15:35 | 22:41 |
| 21 Fri | Waxing gibbous | 63% | 16:41 | 23:20 |
| 22 Sat | Waxing gibbous | 72% | 17:36 | 00:12 |
| 23 Sun | Waxing gibbous | 80% | 18:18 | – |
| 24 Mon | Waxing gibbous | 87% | 18:49 | 01:15 |
| 25 Tue | Waxing gibbous | 93% | 19:12 | 02:26 |
| 26 Wed | Waxing gibbous | 97% | 19:30 | 03:42 |
| 27 Thu | Waxing gibbous | 100% | 19:44 | 04:59 |
| 28 Fri | Full moon | 100% | 19:56 | 06:15 |
| 29 Sat | Waning gibbous | 98% | 20:07 | 07:32 |
| 30 Sun | Waning gibbous | 94% | 20:19 | 08:50 |
| 31 Mon | Waning gibbous | 88% | 20:33 | 10:10 |
Closest and farthest moon
- Perigee (closest): 10 August 2026, 363,273 km
- Apogee (farthest): 22 August 2026, 404,632 km
Eclipses
- Partial lunar eclipse on 28 August 2026, greatest at 05:12 BST. Whether it is visible depends on the moon being above the UK horizon at that time.
- Partial solar eclipse seen from London on 12 August 2026, greatest at 19:13 BST, with about 91% of the sun covered. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Meteor showers
- Perseids: peak around 12 August, up to about 100 an hour, the summer favourite. The moon is 1% lit that night.
Festivals on the Wheel of the Year
See our Wheel of the Year guide for traditions and ideas.
- Lughnasadh (Lammas): 1 August
Using the moon this month
If you like to cleanse crystals by moonlight, the nights either side of the full moon give the most light. Bring soft and water-sensitive stones indoors if dew or rain is likely. See our crystal care guide.
Moon pieces from the shop
Questions answered
When is the full moon in August 2026?
28 August 2026 at 05:19 BST UK time. It is traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon.
When is the new moon in August 2026?
12 August 2026 at 18:37 BST UK time.
What is the best night for stargazing in August 2026?
Around the new moon on 12 August, when the sky is darkest. Pick a clear night and get away from streetlights.
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