The ‘Buck Moon’, first full moon of the summer: meaning and when, where and at what time to enjoy it in U.S.

Another lunar milestone occurs this week with the sixth full moon of 2025 - July’s ‘Buck Moon’, following on from last month’s Strawberry Moon.

Last year’s Buck Moon was a rare astronomical event as it was a super moon - a full moon that occurs near perigee, its closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, which makes it appear larger and brighter.

When is the next super moon?

We won’t see another super moon until October (Hunters Moon), but this month’s Buck Moon will be worth looking out for because it rises earlier in the month - and therefore will be lower than usual in the night sky, appearing bigger with an orange-red glow.

Out of all of the 12 full moons in 2025, the Buck Moon will be the farthest from the Sun. Earth was at aphelion (its farthest point from the sun on its orbital path) on July 3, so August’s Sturgeon Moon will be on the side of Earth facing away from the sun.

Why is July’s full moon called the Buck Moon?

The name Deer Moon comes from the traditions of Native American people, who observed that during this month male deer begin to develop their new velvet antlers, a crucial period in their life cycle.

There is also a close connection with the advent of summer - the seasonal and natural changes that were important to indigenous communities, who depended on deer hunting for their survival.

When and how to see the Super Buck Moon

The full moon will reach its full phase at 4:36 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 10 - note that it will be below the horizon at that time for viewers in North America. So stargazers in the US should wait until at moonrise, at dusk, on Thursday evening, as the moon emerges on the eastern horizon. Its phase can be tracked on NASA’s interactive daily moon guide page.

How to view this month’s Buck Moon

As for the best best to view it, almost any place away from the city and its light pollution will be a good place from which to observe the phenomenon.

Obviously, in rural areas it can be seen better. Furthermore,there will be no need for telescopes or similar devices, although binoculars can help you better appreciate what is happening in the sky.

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