Here's when you can see July's full moon in Oregon: What to know about Buck Moon
The heat is on in Oregon, bringing sun-filled days and a feast of astronomical events at night for enthusiastic stargazers and casual observers alike.
Eclipses, meteor showers and opportunities for planet viewing are among the space phenomena Oregonians can expect to see in the coming months, with July's full moon coming up next on the list.
Like other full moons throughout the year, July's has a nickname, the "Buck Moon," believed to have been originally conceived by the Indigenous peoples of North America.
Hoping to catch a glimpse? Here's what to know.
When is July's full moon in Oregon?
July's full moon, often called the "Buck Moon," will occur on July 10.
Why is it called a 'Buck Moon?'
Like other colloquial names for moon phases and astrological events, the "Buck Moon" is named after a significant natural phenomenon that happens around the time it appears full in the sky. The term likely originated with local Native American tribes, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
July's full moon coincides with the time during which the antlers of male deer, known as bucks, are growing after their annual shed. While they begin sprouting in spring, they are at the peak of the process during this time, growing as fast as one-fourth of an inch per day, or one-and-a-half inches per week during this period.
Other common names for July's full moon include the "Thunder Moon," "Salmon Moon" and "Berry Moon."
What are the names of other full moons throughout the year?
- Wolf Moon (January)
- Snow Moon (February)
- Worm Moon (March)
- Pink Moon (April)
- Flower Moon (May)
- Strawberry Moon (June)
- Sturgeon Moon (August)
- Corn Moon (September)
- Hunter's Moon (October)
- Beaver Moon (November)
- Cold Moon (December)
What's the best way to see the Buck Moon in Oregon?
A full moon can be seen clearly with the naked eye. To see the Buck Moon, stargazers can look toward the southeast when the sun goes down.
Tim Brothers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology technical Instructor and observatory manager, previously told the USA TODAY Network that, like with any case of stargazing, you can see much more clearly with a good telescope or a pair of binoculars.
On July 10, there will be a 2-21% chance of cloud cover throughout Oregon, according to the National Weather Service.
Will it be cloudy in Oregon during July's full moon?
On July 10, Oregon will see mostly clear skies throughout the state, according to the National Weather Service.
There will be a 2-6% chance of cloud cover in the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon, and parts of eastern Oregon will see up to a 7% chance of cloud cover. The Oregon Coast will also be mostly clear but will see the most clouds with a 6-21% chance of cloud cover.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's when you can see July's full moon in Oregon: What to know about Buck Moon
