July’s Full Buck Moon Will Rise Low and Bright—Here’s Why It’s So Special
Hey everyone, have you heard? The night sky is about to put on quite a show this week—July’s full moon, famously called the Buck Moon , is rising tonight. And it’s not just any ordinary full moon. There’s a fascinating mix of science, tradition, and celestial coincidence happening here, so let me break it down like we’re chatting under the stars.
The Buck Moon will officially peak in brightness at 4:36 PM Eastern Time today, July 10th. But since that’s still daylight for most of us in North America, you’ll want to look up a few hours after sunset. Around 8:50 or 9:00 PM, depending on your location, you’ll see the moon start its slow rise over the eastern horizon—and it’s going to look massive. That’s thanks to a fun little optical trick called the moon illusion . Even though the moon doesn’t physically grow, our brains perceive it as larger when it sits low near the horizon.
Also Read:- CrowdStrike Stock Downgraded to Hold Amid Soaring Valuation Concerns
- Marcelo Arevalo’s Greatest Supporter — Meet His Wife Lucia Kovarcikova
Now, why is it called the Buck Moon ? This name comes from Native American and colonial traditions. It’s the time of year when male deer, or bucks, start growing out their antlers again. Other Indigenous names reflect what’s going on in nature this season, like the Salmon Moon or the Molting Moon . Pretty poetic, right?
But the 2025 Buck Moon has even more going on. It’s the farthest full moon from the sun this year, because both the Earth and moon are on the far ends of their orbits right now. It’s also happening during what astronomers call a Major Lunar Standstill —a phenomenon that only occurs every 18.6 years, making the moon rise especially low in the sky during summer. This combo makes tonight’s moon path unusually dramatic and low-hanging, and that adds to its striking visual effect.
Even though we won’t see planets during the full moon itself, there’s plenty of sky action ahead. Mark your calendar for later this month—Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be making early-morning and sunset appearances alongside stars like Aldebaran and the Pleiades. And July 28, Mars will cozy up right next to a crescent moon for a perfect summer stargazing moment.
So if the skies are clear tonight, get outside—find a spot with a good view of the eastern horizon and minimal city lights. Take in the Buck Moon in all its glowing glory. Whether you’re a seasoned skywatcher or just out for a peaceful evening walk, this is one lunar event you don’t want to miss.
And hey, grab your phone or telescope if you’ve got one—you might even catch some lunar detail like the dark maria plains or the bright ejecta streaks from craters like Tycho. It’s not just pretty; it’s the surface of another world, shining right above us.
Enjoy the view, and keep looking up!
Read More:
0 Comments