It’s full Moon week, and stargazers are excitedly preparing for a special celestial event – the 2025 Buck Moon. Rising in the southeast between July 9th and 11th, this low-hanging full Moon will be visible just above the horizon around 10 pm.
The Buck Moon will appear as a low-horizon-grazing full Moon due to its location in the constellation Sagittarius, which is relatively high in the sky for those in the Southern Hemisphere. However, for Northern Hemisphere stargazers, it will only rise slightly above the southern horizon, making it more challenging to spot.
Fortunately, this same night offers an additional chance to see the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS passes over about 90% of the world’s population, often flying overhead multiple times without us noticing. When conditions are right, the ISS can be seen with the naked eye, even without binoculars or a telescope.
The key to spotting both celestial bodies is having a clear, flat horizon and a dark sky. The Buck Moon rises just after sunset, increasing the chances of seeing it alongside the ISS.
Each June and December, the Sun, Earth, and ISS orbit align, allowing for optimal viewing conditions around the summer solstice period. According to the European Space Agency, this alignment means the ISS can be seen up to four times a night during this time.
For those eager to spot both the Buck Moon and the ISS, there are online resources available to help calculate when the next lunar transit of the Space Station will occur from your location. Websites like ESA’s Where Is The International Space Station?, NASA’s Spot The Station, N2YO.com, ISS Tracker, Stellarium, Heavens Above, and others can assist in finding the optimal viewing time.
Don’t miss this rare summer sight – get ready to capture a glimpse of the Buck Moon and the ISS in the same evening!
Source: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/buck-moon-international-space-station