July Buck Moon: The first Full Moon of the Summer peaks TOMORROW - Don't miss it
JULY’S amazing full moon is on the horizon, so it is time to prepare for this month’s celestial light show. Here is how to catch tonight's July Buck Moon.
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The July full moon will illuminate the night skies tonight, Tuesday, July 16, to Wednesday, July 17. Astronomers have calculated our celestial orb will reach full illumination around 10.38pm BST (9.38pm UTC). The Buck Moon will begin to to be visible from 9.06pm BST (8.36pm UTC), allowing amateur astronomers and photographers alike plenty of time to enjoy the sight. However there is somethings extra special about this the July full moon, which means it should not be missed.
Will there be a lunar eclipse during the July full moon?
Early Summer is normally when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur
July’s full moon will actually arrive during a partial lunar eclipse.
US space agency NASA has confirmed this partial lunar eclipse will be visible on every continent except North America.
However those in the US can still catch the eclipse via live stream on timeanddate.com.
The partial eclipse will begin at 2.43pm ET and end at 8.17pm, with maximum coverage expected at 5.30pm.
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What is a Full Buck Moon?
NASA’s site explains the Old Farmer’s Almanac began publishing names for the full moons in the 1930s.
These were derived from the Native American names for each full moon of the month.
These traditional names most originated from the Algonquins, an ancient tribe whose territory spans from New England to the Great Lakes.
July’s Full Buck Moon was derived from the male deer who commonly grow their new antlers this month.
July’s full moon has also been dubbed the Thunder Moon because of the tempestuous weather which frequently lashes the summer months, and the Hay Moon because of July hay harvests.
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This month’s full moon also coincides with the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
On July 16, 1969, three American astronauts were launched from Florida on a historic journey to the moon and back.
The three NASA crew members were Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin become the first men to explore the lunar surface four days later on July 20, 1969.
2019’s 12 named full moons:
January 21 – Wolf Moon
February 19 – Snow Moon
March 21 – Worm Moon
April 19 – Pink Moon
May 18 – Flower Moon
June 17 – Strawberry Moon
July 16 – Buck Moon
August 15 – Sturgeon Moon
September 14 – Full Corn Moon
October 13 – Hunter’s Moon
November 12– Beaver’s Moon
December 12 – Cold Moon