Buck moon 2025: Here’s the complete guide of how and when to watch
Don't miss the Buck Moon 2025! Learn how and when to watch this celestial wonder with clear skies and minimal equipment.
The Buck Moon is lighting up the sky this week, and you don’t have to special equipment to spot it. The Buck Moon will be at its brightest on July 10 at 4:37 p.m. ET (2:08 a.m. IST July 11 in India). While it technically achieves full phase during the afternoon, it will be close to being full and bright from the night of July 9 to July 10.
To get the best glimpse, go outside around sunset and turn southeast. Choose an area with open skies and no light pollution, e.g., a park, roof, or rural location. You can use apps like Sky Guide, Star Walk, or SkyView to monitor the position of the moon in real time if you are in an urban area.
The Buck Moon is named from the period in the year when bucks develop new antlers. It is also known as Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, Salmon Moon, or Halfway Summer Moon, based on seasonal work and natural changes.
If you intend to observe the moon, monitor local weather reports for clear skies since cloud cover could affect visibility. The National Weather Service predicts different conditions across the United States, with central and western regions predicted to have clear skies on July 9 but more general cloudiness on July 10.
Put the following full moons on your calendar: Sturgeon Moon on August 9, Harvest Moon on September 7, Hunter’s Moon on October 6, Beaver Moon on November 5, and Cold Moon on December 4. Each full moon brings its own folklore and seasonal tie-in, keeping alive a long tradition of lunar witnessing that crosses cultures and generations.
