Skygazers across the UK will soon see a bright full Moon light up the night sky. The July full Moon, known as the Buck Moon, will reach its peak on July 29 at 15:36 BST. Although the Moon will be below the horizon at that exact moment, it will still look completely full to the naked eye on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
The July full Moon gets its name from events in nature. During this time of year, male deer, called bucks, rapidly grow new antlers. In the past, people used full Moon nicknames to help track time and changing seasons. The Royal Observatory in Greenwich also calls this Moon the Thunder Moon because of frequent summer storms in July. Other people refer to it as the Hay Moon after the July hay harvest.
Weather forecasts show good viewing conditions for many parts of the UK. Central, southern, and eastern England will enjoy clear skies, light winds, and warm overnight temperatures. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may see variable clouds and a few light showers, but clear spells will still give skywatchers a good view.
The Buck Moon is just one of several astronomical sights this summer. The Perseid meteor shower will remain active through August, peaking overnight on August 12 into August 13. On August 12, people in the UK can also witness a partial solar eclipse, with the Moon covering about 90 percent of the Sun. A partial lunar eclipse will follow early on August 28.