This weekend, skywatchers can look forward to the appearance of July’s full moon, known as the Buck Moon.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed that the moon will be at its fullest at 6:17 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 21. However, observers can enjoy the spectacle throughout the weekend, from Friday evening through Monday morning.
The Buck Moon, named after the season when male deer grow their new antlers, coincides with the 55th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing. Noah Petro, chief of NASA’s Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory, suggests that Saturday night might be an ideal time to observe the moon and commemorate this milestone in space exploration.
“There’s no better way to celebrate than by going outside and looking at the full moon and toasting Neil (Armstrong), Buzz (Aldrin) and Michael Collins, and all the people who helped make Apollo 11 a reality 55 years ago,” Petro stated.
While the moon will be visible to the naked eye, those with access to telescopes or binoculars may be able to discern additional details on the lunar surface.
The Buck Moon is also referred to by other names, including the Thunder Moon, due to its occurrence during thunderstorm season. NASA playfully encourages viewers to don “suitably celebratory celestial attire” while enjoying the lunar spectacle and also advises them to stay safe from potential lightning.
This full moon arrives at a time of renewed interest in lunar exploration. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972, with plans to establish a permanent lunar outpost. Recent scientific discoveries, such as the confirmation of a lunar cave using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data, continue to expand our understanding of Earth’s natural satellite.
As Petro notes,
“Every time we learned something new about the moon, whether it’s about caves on the lunar surface or samples that are returned … we also realize how little we (still) know about the moon.”
Following the Buck Moon, stargazers can anticipate the Sturgeon Moon on August 19, which will be the first supermoon of the year. Additionally, a meteor shower is expected to grace the night sky on July 31, with the best viewing time around 2 a.m. for those on the East Coast.
