July’s first full moon- the Buck Moon- will show up on Thursday (July 10). The first of its kind in the astronomical summer of the Northern Hemisphere, the moon will be one of the lowest-hanging full moons of the year, as per Live Science.
What is the Buck Moon?
July's Buck Moon will be visible on Thursday (Unsplash)
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Appearing in Capricorn, the Buck Moon is one of the most famous summer constellations in the Northern Hemisphere despite its lack of bright stars. In terms of low-hanging moons, only June’s Strawberry Moon which occurs earlier in the month is able to beat it. Its proximity to the horizon enhances its apparent size and color to the average viewer- a phenomenon referred to as “moon illusion” by NASA and occurs only once every 18.6 years.
Why is it called the Buck Moon?
As per Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name Buck Moon is a reference to the new antlers that rapidly grow in male deer, or bucks in the summer. These antlers can grow up to one inch per day during this period and reach their full size in late summer.
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This moon, in particular, can also be called by various other names such as Thunder Moon, Berry Moon, Raspberry Moon, Feather Molting Moon, or Salmon Moon (a term referring to the salmon’s return to the waterways of the Pacific Northwest).
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This moon, in particular, can also be called by various other names such as Thunder Moon, Berry Moon, Raspberry Moon, Feather Molting Moon, or Salmon Moon (a term referring to the salmon’s return to the waterways of the Pacific Northwest).
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The English may refer to July’s full moon as the Hay Moon given its proximity to midsummer harvest. Celtic names for the same include Claiming Moon, Wyrt Moon, Herb Moon, and Mead Moon.
When can I see the Buck Moon?
The Buck Moon will be at its peak illumination level around 4:35 PM EDT on July 10, as per Old Farmer’s Almanac. At this point, the moon will still be below the horizon in North America. The best time to view this phenomenon, however, will be at moonrise at dusk on Thursday evening. At this time, the moon will appear as an orange orb on the eastern horizon. Those more interested still can use a moon calculator to figure out the best time to view the phenomenon from any specific location.
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As per the National Weather Service in Cleveland, skies in Erie County will be partly cloudy on Thursday night and record a low of 67 degrees.
The next full moon (Sturgeon Moon) will rise on August 9, as per Live Science.
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.
Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
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Home/World News/Us News/July’s Buck Moon: How does it get its name and when to spot for the best view
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