Did you miss July's Buck Moon peak? Here's what to expect Friday night over California

KinleySci/Tech2025-07-128500

July's "Buck Moon" has already peaked this week, but for a few more days, folks in California can look up to see the nearly full moon in the sky.

July's full moon, known as Buck Moon, peaked on the evening of Thursday, July 10. However, according to NASA, the moon will remain full for a couple of days and be visible to the naked eye. On Friday night, the moon is expected to rise at 9:34 p.m. over California and set at 6:26 a.m.

Unlike Strawberry Moon or Blood Moon, when the moon appears big, bright and almost a different color in the sky, Buck Moon is simply the nickname for July's full moon phase. The moon itself doesn't turn a different hue.

Here's what to know about Buck Moon, even though its peak has passed.

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When was July's full moon?

The full moon peaked on the evening of Thursday, July 10, but folks will still be able to see the full moon through the weekend before it begins to wax.

Can you still see July's full moon after its peak?

Yes. Although July's full moon has already peaked, to the naked eye, the moon will appear full for a couple of days, NASA states.

A silhouette of an airplane crosses the full Buck Moon in Adelanto, California on July 10, 2025.

Why is it called 'Buck Moon'?

July's full moon coincides with when male deer antlers are at peak growth.

Male deer grow their antlers in late spring, growing as fast as 1/4 of an inch per day or one and a half inches per week, according to the Farmers' Almanac. The lengthening daylight in spring triggers deer's hormones to start this growth.

By July, deer antlers can be spotted in full velvet, which is when the antlers are covered in a soft, hairy skin due to the rapid growth phase of the bones. Deer lose this velvety coating in the fall during mating season, according to the Farmers' Almanac.