July full moon 2026: When, where and how to see the Buck Moon

Key Points:

• The July full moon, known as the "Buck Moon," occurs at 10:36 a.m. EDT on July 29, marking the first full moon of summer and coinciding with the time when young male deer grow their antlers in the northern hemisphere.
• The Buck Moon can be seen rising in the east at sunset on July 29, appearing larger due to the "Moon Illusion" and sometimes displaying a yellow-orange hue caused by Rayleigh scattering near the horizon.
• Various cultural traditions are associated with the July full moon, including Guru Purnima in Hindu and Buddhist faiths and Asalha Puja in Theravada Buddhism, both honoring spiritual teachings and teachers.
• Despite the moon's brightness obscuring many faint stars, observers can spot prominent summer sky features such as the Summer Triangle asterism, the red supergiant star Antares, and planets like Venus in the evening and Saturn, Mercury, and Mars in the predawn sky.
• July 2026 marks the 57th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, offering an opportunity for enthusiasts to locate Apollo landing sites and photograph the moon using recommended techniques like tripod use, remote shutter release, and appropriate focal lengths.