Often the hottest month of the year, July is the middle of the summer season. Baseball is in full swing, kids are out of school and the dog days of summer are upon us. Although it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun shines for the Pacific Northwest, which provides a small observing window. However, there is much to see during this time as Jupiter, Saturn, and later Mars headline the nightly skies from a planetary perspective and Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower is always a sight to see. For those who like the moon, the Full Buck Moon will add to this list. This is a great time to view summer objects and cross them off your list!
Note: 2019 marks the 50 year anniversary of the US Moon landing! Go to a museum celebrating the event or celebrate in your own way!
Meaning Behind The Name
The July full moon is most often known as the Full Buck Moon as bucks begin to grow new antlers in July. Growth of the bucks signals to nature that deer are starting the mating season. These antlers keep growing until December or later, depending on geography, which makes sense to name this Full Buck Moon. When deer grow their bucks, the male deer become more aggressive as their bodies are producing more testosterone.
The July Full Moon was also known as the Thunder Moon because thunderstorms are so frequent during the month. With the constant heat and increased humidity, the July weather is perfect for thunderstorms. Some US States see these thunderstorms turn into tornadoes and has July be the month with the highest percentage of tornadoes.
MOON FACTS
- On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to step foot on the Moon. He also placed the U.S. flag there.
- On July 31, 1999, the ashes of astrogeologist Eugene Shoemaker were deposited on the Moon.
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