July’s ‘Buck Moon’ to Offer a Dazzling, Low-Hanging Lunar Display: Viewing Tips Inside
Mark your calendars: Stargazers and photographers are in for a celestial treat this July. The full “Buck Moon” rises on Wednesday, July 10, promising a spectacular appearance low in the summer sky.
This full moon occurs when the moon sits directly opposite the sun from Earth’s perspective, resulting in its fully illuminated face. Named for the time of year when male deer (bucks) begin regrowing their antlers in North America, the July full moon is also traditionally called the “Thunder Moon,” acknowledging the seasonal storms common in the US. This year, the Buck Moon also happens less than a week after Earth reached its farthest point from the sun (aphelion on July 5), making it the most distant full moon from the sun in 2025.
When and Where to Look
The exact moment of full phase is at 4:36 p.m. EDT (2036 GMT) on July 10. However, the moon won’t become visible until it rises above the horizon around sunset in your local time zone. For example:
- New York City: Moonrise approximately 8:53 p.m. local time.
- Other Locations: Timing for moonrise varies significantly by location. Consult reliable astronomical resources like timeanddate.com or in-the-sky.org for precise local moonrise times.
Why So Low? The Solstice and a Major Standstill
The Buck Moon will appear remarkably low in the night sky following sunset. This effect stems from its proximity to the June summer solstice, when the sun is highest in the daytime sky. At this time of year, the full moon follows a correspondingly low path across the night sky.
Adding to the spectacle in 2025 is a rare Major Lunar Standstill. Occurring roughly every 18.6 years, this phenomenon sees the gravitational pull of the sun push the moon’s inclined orbit to its most extreme tilt relative to Earth’s equator. This exaggerated tilt causes the moon to appear at its highest and lowest points in the sky throughout the year – the July full moon experiencing the extreme low point.
Maximizing the View: The Moon Illusion and Lunar Hues
The prime viewing window is shortly after moonrise. Take advantage of the Moon Illusion: the optical effect making the moon appear noticeably larger when near the horizon compared to when it’s high overhead, despite its actual size remaining constant.
You may also observe the Buck Moon take on a striking golden or reddish hue upon rising. This warm color results from Rayleigh scattering, the same atmospheric effect responsible for vivid sunsets. Light reflecting off the moon travels through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere when the moon is low, scattering blue wavelengths and allowing more red and yellow light to reach our eyes.
Lunar Legacy: Apollo 11 Anniversary
This month also commemorates 56 years since the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing on July 20, 1969. To celebrate, astronomy enthusiasts can use the opportunity to locate the six Apollo landing sites on the lunar surface using a detailed visual guide. While the regions can be spotted with the naked eye, a modest telescope (around 6-inch aperture) enhances the view of the landing zones amidst the surrounding lunar terrain.
(Image Suggestion: Feature the provided stunning Getty Images photo described in the caption: “A yellow-orange full Buck Moon captured from Greece, showing lunar detail obscured by clouds.”)
Share Your View: Captured a spectacular image of the Buck Moon? Share your photo, along with your name and location, with Space.com at spacephotos@space.com.
