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The full Moon that occurs in July, commonly referred to as the Buck Moon, is set to illuminate the night skies over the UK in the upcoming week. This event marks the second full Moon out of three scheduled for this summer season, reaching its peak fullness at 15:36 BST on 29 July. While the Moon will be just below the horizon at the moment of its fullest phase, making it unobservable at that exact time in the UK, observers can still enjoy the sight of the prominent full Moon on the evenings of Tuesday and Wednesday.
The term “Buck Moon” is derived from natural phenomena linked to this period of the year. Traditionally, full Moons have been given various names globally to help track seasonal changes and measure the passage of time. Specifically, the July Moon earned its name because it coincides with the time when male deer, known as bucks, begin to grow new antlers rapidly. Additionally, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich refers to this Moon as the Thunder Moon, named after the frequent summer thunderstorms during this month. Other historical names for the July full Moon include the Hay Moon, a nod to the harvesting of hay during July.
Weather conditions across the UK appear favorable for viewing the Buck Moon on the night of 29 July, according to current forecast models. Central, southern, and eastern regions are expected to enjoy mostly clear skies, providing good opportunities for watching the Moon. Northern and western areas may experience intermittent cloud cover, but widespread rain or persistent cloudiness seems unlikely. England is predicted to have settled weather conditions after dark with light winds and patchy clouds, enhancing visibility. Meanwhile, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland might see more variability, with occasional showers and some breaks in the cloud, particularly in the eastern and northern sections of Scotland.
The Buck Moon is one highlight among several celestial events taking place this summer. The Perseid meteor shower will remain active during July and August, with a peak occurring during the night of 12 August into the early morning of 13 August. This meteor shower will coincide closely with a rare solar eclipse on 12 August, which will be the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. Although full totality will only be seen in Spain and northern Portugal, the UK will witness a partial eclipse, with the Moon obscuring approximately 90% of the Sun at the maximum point. Following this, a partial lunar eclipse is expected in the early hours of 28 August, providing further opportunities for skywatchers to enjoy notable astronomical displays
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