The full moon rises tonight, marking a rare celestial event in 2025. The ‘Buck Moon’, also known as the July full moon, is notable for being the farthest from the sun this year. This lunar spectacle offers stargazers an opportunity to appreciate unusual orbital mechanics.
As Earth’s orbit aligns with the summer solstice, the moon tracks a low path over the southern horizon, making it visible in the evening sky. The exact timing of moonrise varies by location, so check reliable websites like timeanddate.com or in-the-sky.org for your local time.
The ‘Buck Moon’ gets its name from the male deer that grow their antlers during this time. It’s also referred to as the Thunder Moon and Hay Moon due to early summer storms and farmers gathering animal feed, respectively.
Stargazers can appreciate several unique characteristics of this lunar event. The moon is low-riding due to a Major Lunar Standstill, where the sun’s gravity affects its orbit. Additionally, it’s the closest full moon to aphelion, the point in Earth’s elliptical orbit when it is farthest from the sun.
During the full ‘Buck Moon’, viewers can explore the dark expanses of lunar seas and maria, featuring impact craters formed billions of years ago. Bright ejecta rays can also be spotted near large impact sites. This event also marks the 56th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
For a closer look at the ‘Buck Moon’, consider using a motorized telescope like the Celestron NexStar 8SE. Take advantage of our review and best deals on telescopes and other space-related products, available during Prime Day.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/july-full-moon-2025-rises-tonight-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-low-riding-buck-moon