Is there a Full Moon tonight UK? Why is the Moon so big?
FULL MOON aficionados this weekend will see a huge orb loom over the horizon - so when is the July Full Moon and why is the Moon so big?
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The seventh Full Moon of the year is popularly known as the Buck Moon, the Wort Moon and the Hay Moon. There are between 12 and 13 Full Moons every year and each is given a unique name and folklore.
When is the July Buck Moon?
The Maine Farmer's Almanac first published 'Indian' names for the Full Moons in the 1930s
The Full Moon will peak early on Sunday, July 5, for UK stargazers.
The Moon will positions itself directly across from the Sun at approximately 5.44am BST (4.44am UTC).
Although a Moon is only technically 'full' for a brief moment, it will appear full to the naked eye for roughly three days centred on the peak.
Depending on your time zone, the peak will occur on Saturday or Sunday.
The Full Moon event also happens to coincide with a partial penumbral eclipse.
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What is the meaning behind the Buck Moon's name?
The Full Moon's named are historically associated with Native American folklore and time-keeping traditions.
The Moon's full phases would be named after seasonal changes in the landscape and nature.
The Strawberry Moon, for instance, signalled wild strawberries were ripe for picking.
December's Cold Moon is conversely named after the start of the winter month.
The Buck Moon is thought to be named after bucks sprouting new antlers around during this period.
According to the British Deer Society, male deer or bucks drop and grow their antlers over periods of months.
The antlers typically start to grow in early spring and are covered in velvet between May and August.
NASA's lunar expert Gordon Johnston said: "The Maine Farmer's Almanac first published 'Indian' names for the Full Moons in the 1930s.
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"According to this almanac, as the Full Moon in July and the first Full Moon of Summer, the Algonquin tribes in what is now the Eastern USA called this Full Moon the Buck Moon.
"Early Summer is normally when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.
"They also called this the Thunder Moon because of early Summer's frequent thunderstorms."
The Buck Moon is also known as the Hay Moon after the July hay harvest.
When are the 2020 Full Moons?
These are all of the Full Moons and their names for the year
January 10: Wolf Moon
February 9: Snow Moon
March 9: Worm Moon
April 8: Pink Moon
May 7: Flower Moon
June 5: Strawberry Moon
July 5: Buck Moon
August 3: Sturgeon Moon
September 2: Harvest Moon
October 1: Hunter's Moon
October 30: Hunter's Moon
November 30: Beaver Moon
December 30: Cold Moon