July full moon: What time is the 'Buck Moon?' When, how to watch
The first full moon of July and astronomical summer, called a Buck Moon, is on July 10.
The Buck Moon will be one of the lowest hanging full moons of the year according to Livescience.com. The only full moon that sits lower in the horizon is June's Strawberry Moon.
When is the best time to see the Buck Moon?
The moon will reach peak illumination around 4:35 p.m. on July 10, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, which is when the moon is still below the horizon in North America.
The best time to see the Buck Moon will be at moonrise, when the moon will appear on the eastern horizon and look like an orange orb.
The remaining July moon phases include the Last Quarter Moon on July 18, and the New Moon July 24.
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The moonrise and moonset calculator predicts that moonrise in Erie will be at 9:24 p.m.
Why is it called a Buck Moon?
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the name references the new antlers male deer, or bucks, are rapidly growing in summer. Antlers can grow up to one inch per day during this period, and antlers will reach full size in late-summer.
The July full moon also has other monikers. Other names for this moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, include:
Thunder moon
Berry moon
Raspberry moon
Salmon moon-a term referring to when the salmon returns to the waterways of the Pacific Northwest
Feather Molting Moon
A moon illusion
The Buck Moon will appear larger to the naked eye than a normal full moon due to its closer proximity to the horizon.
The moon’s proximity to the horizon throughout the night will enhance its size and color making it appear larger than usual, which is called a moon illusion. This phenomenon occurs once every 18.6 years.
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Will the skies be clear in Erie County for the full moon?
Skies in Erie County are predicted to be partly cloudy Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, with an evening low of 67 degrees.
Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code atgoerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app foriOSorAndroidfor mobile-friendly forecasts.Tour Erie-area conditions by webcams.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: July's full moon: When it is, how it got its name
