July Night Sky

2023 Full Buck Moon

The names associated with our full moons are frequently derived from the names given by the indigenous peoples that inhabited North America.  The tribes used a calendar to track the seasons by means of the names given to the return of a full moon.  The Ojibwe people of the Great Lakes region call this moon Abitaa-niibini Giizis, the Halfway Summer Moon, or Mskomini Giizis, the Raspberry Moon.  

In the northern hemisphere the full moon that greets us today is called the Buck Moon in recognition of the rapidly-growing, velvet-covered, antlers of the whitetail deer. As a consequence of summer storms it is sometimes called the Thunder Moon.   It always shines in or near the stars of Sagittarius or Capricornus. It will appear at its fullest tonight and tomorrow night.  Look for it to rise in the east after sunset; highest at midnight and setting in the west at dawn.

With the arrival of European settlers two additional monikers come to mind:  the Meade Moon which coincides the harvest of honey used to ferment this drink and the Hay Moon as the first cuttings of cattle fodder occur.  

Fingers-crossed for clear night skies and no skeeters.