July’s full moon gets its name from the Old Farmer’s Almanac and originates from Native American tribes as they used lunar phases to keep track of the seasons.

When will the full moon reach its peak?

The Full Buck Moon “occurs just after midnight on Sunday 5 July, with the moon reaching its full phase about 40 minutes later. Half the world’s population won’t see the moon at the instant it turns precisely full. EarthSky explains:

It will appear from around sunset on 4 July. In addition, it will “climb highest up for the night around midnight and will shine low in the western sky” at dawn on 5 July.

That means you’ll have more than enough time between dusk and dawn to see it light up the night sky.

Different names for July’s full moon

Buck and Thunder

Every full moon has a name, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The site explains:

The names assigned to moons come from Native American tribes as they used lunar phases to keep track of the seasons. In addition, some of the names were also derived from Colonial Americans and other traditional North American names from days of yore.

Wort, Hay and Guru

Other names include Wort Moon and Hay Moon, as the lunar event coincides with the hay harvest in the northern hemisphere. According to TimeAndDate:

It’s also known as Guru Moon, Mead Moon, Honey Moon Rose Moon and Ripe Corn Moon. Guru Moon originates from Hindu tradition, where the lunar event is referred to as Guru Purnima. In addition, Buddhists celebrate its arrival as Dharma Day, also known as Asalha Puha or Esala Poya.

Mead, Honey, Rose and Ripe Corn

Mead and Honey, because it coincides with the time when large beehives are formed. Farmers in Europe ferment the honey to make a kind of wine called Mead. The ancient Greeks referred to it as the “nectar of the gods.”

Some people call it a Rose Moon after roses that bloom in late June. Others say the colour of the full moon, this time of year, gives it the name. However, Rose Moon is mostly reserved for June’s full moon.

Lastly, it’s called the Ripe Corn Moon to pay homage to the time of year when corn matures on American prairies. Whichever name you choose, it also coincides with a penumbral lunar eclipse. Read more about it here.

See Jupiter and Saturn

Apart from the lunar eclipse, stargazers will also be able to see Jupiter and Saturn close together. If you have a telescope, you’ll be able to see Saturn’s rings.

This will be the best opportunity to see the two planets. However, Earth will pass between each of these planets and the Sun later this month as both Jupiter and Saturn reach their oppositions.

Jupiter will reach its opposition on 13 and 14 July, followed by Saturn on 20 July.