Overview
- The Buck Moon reaches peak fullness at 4:38 PM EDT on July 10 and will rise just after sunset on the southeastern horizon for optimal viewing.
- Occurring days after Earth’s aphelion, this Buck Moon will appear smaller than usual, marking the year’s most distant full moon.
- A rare 18.6-year Major Lunar Standstill draws its nightly path unusually low across the sky, enhancing the moon illusion.
- Native American and colonial naming traditions call July’s full moon the Buck Moon in reference to male deer antler growth, with variants like Thunder Moon and Salmon Moon.
- Observers in India will also witness the Buck Moon on Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima), a spiritually significant day commemorating Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath.