July Full Moon 2024: Buck Moon
The Full Buck Moon will grace the skies on July 21. In this article, you'll learn how best to observe it and why it has such an unusual name.
Contents
- When is the July Full Moon 2024?
- How to observe the July Full Moon 2024?
- What is the July Full Moon called?
- When is the next Full Moon 2024?
- Full Moon in July 2024: Conclusion
When is the July Full Moon 2024?
On July 21, at 10:17 GMT (6:17 a.m. EDT), the Moon will reach its full phase. A Full Moon occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. That’s why it rises around sunset and sets just before dawn, so generally, we can only see the exact moment of the full phase in the night part of the Earth.
To find out exactly when the Moon will be above the horizon at your location, check the Moon tab in the calendar feature of Sky Tonight, or visit the Moon phases section on our website. There, you will find the lunar phases for each day, with moonrise and moonset times for where you live and additional information.
What constellation is the July Full Moon in?
The Full Moon in July 2024 will be in the constellation Capricornus, which belongs to the zodiac family. Use Sky Tonight to learn the exact Full Moon location in the sky above.
How long does a Full Moon last?
Astronomically speaking, the exact moment of the Full Moon is short. It happens when the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun. But the Moon will seem full to the observers the day before or after this moment; the lunar disk will be more than 98% illuminated. So, don’t worry if you miss the exact moment of the full phase – you can still enjoy the Full Moon in the sky!
Moon phases in July 2024
- New Moon: July 5, 22:57 GMT (6:57 p.m. EDT);
- First Quarter: July 13, 22:49 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT);
- Full Moon: July 21, 10:17 GMT (6:17 a.m. EDT);
- Last Quarter: July 28, 02:52 GMT (July 27, 10:52 p.m. EDT).
How to observe the July Full Moon 2024?
The Full Moon will be seen all night long if the weather is good and no obstacles hinder your view. You can easily observe it with the naked eye or take a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to explore its craters. If you decide to use optics, better take filters because the Moon will be pretty bright – it won’t harm your eyes, but the shadows on the lunar surface will get fainter. Also, use the app Sky Tonight to find out the exact time and properties of the Full Moon for your location. If you want to take a stunning photo of this month’s Full Moon, the app Ephemeris will help you set up the composition by showing you how the lunar disk will look in a chosen location.
Will the July Full Moon 2024 look orange?
The July Full Moon will be closer to the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere, so it won’t only look bigger (due to the effect called the Moon illusion) but also may change color. When the Moon is low, its light passes through more air, so it can look orange, pink, or red – the same effect causes our beautiful sunsets. Enjoy the view at the moonrise or moonset to see the intense color.
What is the July Full Moon called?
In different cultures, Full Moons often receive names that reflect the peculiarities of a particular season. For example, the July Full Moon is sometimes called the Halfway Summer Moon because it rises in the middle of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Its other common name is Thunder Moon because of the frequent thunderstorms in July.
Full Buck Moon
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the popular Native American name for the July Full Moon is the Buck Moon. The young male deer (bucks) are sprouting new antlers this time of the year. By the end of July, most bucks’ antlers are fully formed, and the hardening process begins.
July Full Moon alternative names
Here are some other July Full Moon names coined by different cultures:
- Chinese: Hungry Ghost Moon;
- Celtic: Moon of Claiming;
- Wiccan: Mead Moon;
- Cherokee: Ripe Corn Moon;
- Southern Hemisphere: Wolf Moon, Old Moon, Ice Moon.
When is the next Buck Moon?
The Buck Moon is the traditional name for the Full Moon in July. In 2024, the Buck Moon is on July 21, at 10:17 GMT (6:17 a.m. EDT). The Buck Moon after it will occur on July 10, 2025.
When is the next Full Moon 2024?
The next Full Moon is on August 19, 2024, at 18:26 GMT (2:26 p.m. EDT). It will be the first Supermoon of the year and a seasonal Blue Moon. Find the whole list of the Full Moons in 2024 with their traditional names in our infographic.
Full Moon in July 2024: Conclusion
The Full Moon will occur on July 21, at 10:17 GMT (6:17 a.m. EDT). Native Americans call it the Buck Moon, because, in July, the young male deer (bucks) are sprouting new antlers. To learn when the next Full Moon is and what traditional name it has, check our Full Moon calendar 2024.
