JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Thursday night, the full moon will shine brightly, marking the Buck Moon, a name rooted in Native American tradition.
This July full moon signals the time when male deer, or bucks, begin to grow their new antlers, covered in soft velvet.
Many cultures have celebrated the Buck Moon for centuries, using it as a guide for planting, harvesting, and hunting. Its arrival in July often coincides with the height of summer, when days are long and nights warm.
Tonight’s moon offers a perfect opportunity for stargazers and nature lovers to step outside and enjoy the night sky. Whether viewed from a quiet backyard or a remote wilderness, we’ll have partly to mostly cloudy skies with rainy conditions for some.
Science behind the full moon
The moon appears fuller and brighter tonight because it is at the peak of its full moon phase, when the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon. This alignment allows the sun’s light to fully illuminate the side of the moon facing Earth.
During the full moon phase, the moon’s entire face is visible from Earth reflects sunlight, making it appear round and bright in the night sky. This is why the Buck Moon, like all full moons, looks larger and more luminous compared to other phases.
Additionally, the moon’s brightness can be influenced by its position in the sky. When the moon is higher above the horizon, there is less atmospheric distortion and scattering, making it appear clearer and more radiant.
Sometimes, the moon can also appear slightly larger due to an optical illusion known as the “moon illusion,” which occurs when the moon is near the horizon and our brain perceives it as bigger than when it is high in the sky.
Overall, the combination of the moon’s full illumination, its position relative to Earth and the sun, and atmospheric conditions contribute to the bright, full appearance of the Buck Moon tonight.