August 1-4, 2025: The moon waxes eastward passing Scorpius. This is August’s Scorpion Moon.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Related Articles
Venus Summary Article
Scorpion Moon
As August opens, the evening moon is in the southern sky after sunset, waxing as it is farther eastward each night, passing Scorpius – a Scorpion moon.
The celestial scorpion resembles its terrestrial namesake. Antares marks its heart and Dschubba, the head. It’s claws, Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali, now part of Libra, reach westward. The arachnid’s body curves downward toward the horizon then upward ending at Shaula and Lesath.
The bright moon washes out the dimmer stars, though they are visible through a binocular. It is at the evening half phase, known as First Quarter, on August 1st at 7:41 a.m. Central Time, when it is below the horizon in the Americas.
The Highlights
Here’s what to see at hour after sunset:
- August 1: The slightly gibbous moon, 55% illuminated, is nearly 20° above the south-southwest horizon, 5.6° to the lower left of Zubenelgenubi, the southern claw, and 24.0° to the lower right of Antares, Scorpius’ brightest star.
- August 2: The moon, 65% illuminated, is over 20° above the south-southwest horizon, 5.3° to the right of Pi Scorpii (π Sco on the chart) and 12.1° to the lower right of Antares. Tomorrow, the moon occults or eclipses this star from Indonesia
- August 3: The gibbous moon, 74% illuminated, is 20° up in the south, 1.4° to the lower right of Antares. The lunar orb occults this star for sky watchers at the southern tip of South America and New Zealand.
- August 4: The moon, 82% illuminated, is 12.4° to the lower left of Antares. Look carefully for Shaula and Lesath, sometimes known as the “Cat’s Eyes” and identify the Scorpion’s stinger and curved tail, 8.2° to the lunar orb’s lower left. Tonight, the moon is in front of Ophiuchus.
The moon reaches its Full phase on the 9th at 2:55 a.m., the night of the Sturgeon moon.
Watch the phase grows as the moon moves farther eastward and passes Scorpius – A Scorpion Moon.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, May 28-31: Blue Moon Passes Libra and Scorpius Near Antares
May 28-31, 2026: The seasonal Blue Moon passes Libra and Scorpius during late May, appearing near Antares while bright moonlight spreads across the evening sky. - 2026, May 25-27: Waxing Gibbous Moon Passes Spica While Venus Closes Gap to Jupiter
May 25-27, 2026: Watch the waxing gibbous moon pass Spica in Virgo while Venus steadily overtakes Jupiter in the western evening sky before their June 9 conjunction. - 2026, May 23-29: Venus Overtakes Jupiter During May Evening Sky Display
May 23-29, 2026: Watch Venus rapidly close the gap to Jupiter with Gemini during late May evenings. Follow the bright planets past Pollux, Alhena, Mebsuta, and other notable Gemini stars. - 2026, May 22-24: Waxing Moon Passes Leo While Venus and Jupiter Shine After Sunset
May 22-24, 2026: Watch the waxing moon move through Leo after sunset while brilliant Venus and Jupiter shine in the western sky. Learn how to find Regulus, Denebola, and the Sickle of Leo. - 2026, May 21: Crescent Moon Near the Beehive Cluster with Venus and Jupiter After Sunset
May 21, 2026: See the crescent moon near the Beehive Cluster after sunset while brilliant Venus and Jupiter shine in the western sky. Saturn appears before sunrise in the east.