Overview
- The Buck Moon reached peak illumination at 10:36 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29, and it will still appear fully lit to most observers during local moonrise that evening.
- The name 'Buck Moon' comes from Native American seasonal naming popularized by the Old Farmer’s Almanac and refers to male deer growing antlers in July.
- For the clearest view, find a dark site with an open southeast horizon and look within about 15 minutes of local sunset when the moon climbs above the horizon.
- Several meteor showers are active around this full moon but the bright moonlight will drown out fainter meteors so observers should face away from the moon or use a low horizon to block its glare.
- Sky color may be affected in parts of the U.S. Midwest and Northeast by Canadian wildfire smoke which can tint the moon orange, and the Buck Moon leads into late‑summer events including the Perseids peak and the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse.