July's Full Buck Moon Will Share the Sky With Mars and Saturn—Here's How to See It

Each month, a full moon lights up the night sky—but this July brings a special sight for stargazers. The full Buck Moon will share the spotlight with Mars and Saturn, creating a beautiful display and shining brightly in the night.

The full moon is expected to peak around sunset on July 10 at 4:37 p.m. EDT, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. At this time, it will be below the horizon line, so it's recommended to face the southeast after sunset to see it rise.

Throughout July and on the night of the full moon, NASA notes that Mars will be visible for the first hour or two after it gets dark, setting a couple of hours after dark. Another visible planet is Saturn, which will rise at 11:51 p.m. and reach its highest altitude after sunrise at 5:50 a.m. on July 11, according to Space.com. Saturn is easier to spot due to where it appears in the sky; few bright stars are competing with it for visibility.

According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, the full moon in July is referred to as the Buck Moon because early summer is when male deer, or bucks, are in full antler-growth mode. Other names include Feather Moulting Moon, Salmon Moon, and Corn Moon.

A full moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the sun from Earth's perspective. This alignment causes full moons to rise around sunset and set around sunrise. While the full moon peaks at a specific time, it can appear full for up to two days before transitioning to a waning gibbous, according to NASA.

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