July’s Full Moon: The Buck Moon

The full moon of July is known as the “Buck Moon,” a celestial event that captivates the interest of sky watchers and astrophotographers alike. A full moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the sun in the sky, making it appear fully illuminated from our perspective on Earth.

What is the Buck Moon?

The full moon of July is called the “Buck Moon” because it coincides with the time in North America when male deer, or bucks, begin to grow their new antlers. It is also sometimes referred to as the “Thunder Moon,” in reference to the summer storms that occur in parts of the United States in July.

This full moon comes less than a week after Earth reaches aphelion, the point in its orbit farthest from the sun, making it the most distant full moon from the sun in 2025.

Why Does the Buck Moon Appear Low?

The July full moon will appear particularly low in the sky after sunset. This is due to its proximity to the summer solstice, when the sun reaches its highest point in the daytime sky, causing the moon to follow a lower path at night.

This effect is more pronounced in 2025 due to a phenomenon known as the “major lunar standstill.” This occurs every 18.6 years when the sun’s gravity pulls the moon’s tilted orbit to its maximum inclination relative to Earth’s celestial equator.

The Moon Illusion

The best time to view the July full moon is in the hours following its rise on July 10, when the lunar disk will appear larger than it actually is, thanks to a phenomenon known as the “moon illusion.” This occurs when the moon is near the horizon, tricking our brains into perceiving it as larger than when it is directly overhead, even though it occupies the same space in the night sky in both positions!

Celebrating Apollo’s Anniversary

This month also marks the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon while Michael Collins observed from lunar orbit. To celebrate, we invite you to locate the six historic Apollo landing sites using a helpful visual guide.

Conclusion

In conclusion, July’s Buck Moon offers a wonderful opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts to enjoy the night sky. With exciting astronomical phenomena like the major lunar standstill and the moon illusion, the July full moon remains a favorite celestial event for many. This month also provides a chance to celebrate humanity’s achievements in space exploration, such as the historic Apollo moon landing.