Dazzling photos show the July full 'buck moon' reach peak illumination
The name 'buck moon' is in reference to male deer, or bucks, which start to rapidly grow their antlers this time of year. This year's buck moon reached its peak illumination at 4:37 p.m. ET on Thursday, which is when it was fully visible and low on the horizon for stargazers in North America.
This full moon was so visibly low on the horizon because of the summer solstice, which kicks off the summer and marks when the sun starts traveling at its highest point in the day. When the sun is at its high peak, the moon travels along a lower path throughout the night, according to Space.com. Due to its low position in the sky, buck moons tend to look a little orange because of Rayleigh scattering, which is the same thick atmosphere that makes us see sunsets as very orange.
A full moon happens when the sun, Earth and moon are in alignment and form a straight line. Since the moon and the sun are on either side of Earth, the sun's light shines on the moon entirely, making it look fully illuminated from the Earth's perspective, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
Even if you missed the buck moon on July 10, the full moon will still be clearly visible over the next few nights, according to Space.com. There are only five full moons left in 2025, the next one being the 'sturgeon moon' on Aug. 9, and three supermoons in October, November and December, according to a schedule by the Farmers' Almanac.
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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Perseid meteor shower 2025: When is it and where can you see it?
The Perseids meteor shower is starting, and backyard astronomers will soon be able to catch a glimpse of the annual event. The meteor shower starts on Thursday, July 17, and ends Saturday, August 23, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). "The Perseids, which peaks in mid-August, is considered the best meteor shower of the year," according to NASA. "With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long 'wakes' of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth's atmosphere." The Perseids meteor shower is set to peak on the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13. Nearly 100 meteors per hour at its peak Usually, during the Perseids' peak, there will be up to 50 to 75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, Michael Hankey, American Meteor Society Operations Manager, told USA TODAY in an email. The meteor shower is known to produce very bright meteors, often referred to as fireballs. However, in 2025, the showers' peak will not meet these ideal conditions because the moon will be too bright, Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Society's newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator, told USA TODAY. This year's peak will occur just three days after the full moon. When is the best time to see the Perseids? The best time to view the Perseids is between midnight and dawn, according to Hankey. However, one of the the best days to see the Perseids is on Wednesday, July 30, because two other meteor showers, alpha Capricornids, Southern delta Aquariids, will be happening at the same time, according to Lunsford. The new moon will also fall on July 24, according to the Farmers' Almanac. Making the night skies darker and optimal for stargazing. "With the moon bothering the Perseids this year, the last couple of days of July might be a good opportunity to see some meteors without any moon," said Lunsford. Where should you face to see the Perseids? The meteors can appear from anywhere, "Lie back, look up, and scan the entire sky," wrote Hankey. "Meteors can appear in any part of the sky, though they will appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, in the northeast." But the moon's light could affect your chances of seeing a meteor. "You should face away from the moon," said Lunsford. Those hoping to see the shower should also do the following, according to Hankey: For optimal comfort, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray, and bring a blanket or a reclining chair. Do you need any equipment to see the meteor shower? No, onlookers will not need any equipment to see the meteor shower, according to Hankey. But, Lunsford said those interested in purchasing equipment should stay away from telescopes that cheaper than $500 and recommends purchasing from Celestron. He advises beginners to opt for a telescope with a lens instead of a mirror, and for those seeking a more affordable option, he recommends a pair of binoculars.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Perseids: How to watch one of 2025's most spectacular meteor showers
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. One of the best meteor showers of 2025, the Perseids, is set to kick off this month, as the shower will reportedly be active from July 14 to September 1. Despite having such a long activity time, though, the meteor shower isn't expected to peak until well into August — the night of August 12 to 13 to be exact. While the peak will see upwards of 75-80 meteors per hour, that might not actually be the best time to see them. That's because the Moon is expected to be 84% full at that time, which means it will be an exceptionally bright night sky. You'll still be able to see the meteors, though, especially after 11 p.m. local time, when its peak begins. Today's Top Deals XGIMI Prime Day deals feature the new MoGo 4 and up to 42% off smart projectors Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals However, many skywatchers recommend going outside and catching a look at the best meteor shower of 2025 before then. In fact, the best time to see the Perseids will likely be between July 21 and 27. That's when the Moon phases will be moving toward the New Moon, which is darkest Moon of the month. Specifically, the Old Farmer's Almanac says that on July 24, the New Moon will be in full effect, making it easier to see the bright meteors as they streak across the sky. The Perseids are one of the best showers of the year simply because of how active and bright they are. We experience this shower when Earth passes through the debris trail left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. This is also the largest known object to repeatedly pass by Earth, and the debris trail it leaves behind moves at around 133,200 miles per hour through space. While the fragments are typically only the size of a grain of sand, they light up when entering Earth's atmosphere. While seen in all latitudes, the best meteor shower of 2025 will be most visible from the Northern Hemisphere. Despite being one of the best, it is far from the biggest meteor shower of the year. That isn't expected to occur until December. However, in a few years, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to be even more astounding, as reports that the 2028 shower will evolve into a storm. More Top Deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 See the
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Associated Press
Adults with heart-healthy metrics had better health from head to toe
Research Highlights: Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - July 16, 2025 - DALLAS — People who had more heart-healthy habits and factors, as assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7(TM) metrics for ideal cardiovascular health, had more positive benefits for whole body health, according to a review of research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. Life's Simple 7 was launched by the American Heart Association in 2010 to define and quantify the spectrum of heart health based on seven lifestyle and health measures: not smoking, healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, healthy weight and normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In 2022, the metrics were refined to include sufficient sleep and more detailed scoring. The updated cardiovascular health metric is now called Life's Essential 8(TM). While the cardiovascular benefits of optimal cardiovascular health in terms of Life's Simple 7 were already well-established, this is the first systematic review that examines the benefits to organs beyond the heart and death from cardiovascular disease and other causes, according to study authors. 'A few years ago, we learned that heart health and brain health are very closely tied. Through this review, we found that almost every organ system and bodily function also benefits from maintaining the healthy lifestyle behaviors of Life's Simple 7,' said lead study author Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D., M.P.H., a research assistant professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Global Diabetes Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta. 'We were pleasantly surprised to find that Life's Simple 7 at optimal levels touched every aspect of health, from head to toe. It goes well beyond just cardiovascular health to encompass whole-body health.' Researchers reviewed nearly 500 research studies published in the decade after Life's Simple 7 was introduced that had incorporated at least three of Life's Simple 7 measures. Ideal cardiovascular health was defined as having six or seven of the metrics at high levels. Among the findings: 'These findings confirm that healthy lifestyle metrics — eating well, exercising and not smoking — are key components to optimal health, in addition to maintaining healthy weight, normal blood pressure, and cholesterol blood sugar levels, which are the conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease,' Aguayo said. 'The ideal cardiovascular health metrics in Life's Simple 7 and now Life's Essential 8 are based on extensive scientific research that recognizes the majority of heart disease and stroke can be prevented,' said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women's health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health of Northwell Health in New York City. 'The findings in this review study indicate that these healthy lifestyle metrics are also a path to improving health and well-being across the board, from head to toe. Preventing cardiovascular disease and reducing cardiovascular disease risk, the centerpieces for Life's Essential 8, are the core of the American Heart Association's mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.' The review findings are limited due to the scoring system of Life's Simple 7, which rates each category broadly as ideal, intermediate or poor and is less precise than is now possible under the methods of Life's Essential 8, according to Aguayo. Because this study relies on published literature, it may under-represent studies with negative or inconclusive findings, researchers said. The investigators called for more research especially among children, pregnant women and populations in less-studied areas of the world. Also, more research is needed on both the benefits of even small improvements in these health metrics and the mechanisms that are pathways between Life's Simple 7 or Life's Essential 8 and better health. Study details, background and design: This review was partially funded by a Strategically Focused Research Network grant from the American Heart Association as well as a grant from the National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the American Heart Association. Co-authors and disclosures are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Staff contact: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
