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Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Exact time you should look up to see orange Buck Moon light up Scotland's sky tonight
This month's full moon is set to rise tonight, July 10. Last month's Strawberry Moon saw the lowest full moon on the horizon since 2006. But July welcomes a new special astrological event - the Buck Moon. Another very low moon, the orange Buck Moon is a further distance from the sun than any other full moon of the year. This summer full moon is so low in the sky because it mirrors the sun's position, which just reached its highest point on the Summer Solstice, June 21. The 'Buck Moon' is the name given for July's full moon every year, and it is named after the male deer, the bucks, of the summer season that begin to grow their antlers during this month. This low moon may appear slightly orange or reddish in the sky, due to its closeness to the horizon. But as the Buck Moon rises in the sky tonight, when exactly can Scots see it, and where? Here's everything you need to know. Exact time to see the Buck Moon tonight The full moon will grace our skies on Thursday, July 10 at 10.09pm, BBC Sky at Night reports. But as this moon is so low in the sky, it may be difficult to spot this evening. The next full moon, the Sturgeon Moon, will rise on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Read on to find Scotland's ideal spots with an unobstructed horizon, which will give you a better chance at catching tonight's full moon - and any other low moons in future. Best places in Scotland to spot the low Buck Moon Beaches A beach is one of the best places to go for an unobstructed horizon, and Scotland is home to many. The best beach for stargazing, however, is Luskentyre Beach on the west coast of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. This beach's lack of light pollution has led to it being named one of the best in the whole of the UK for observing the wonders of the night sky. For those on the mainland, almost any beach will be a great spot for catching the July Full Moon. Plains Perhaps harder to find in the rolling hills of Scotland, a grassy field or plain is another perfect choice of place for amateur stargazers to see the low-down moon tonight. Large, flat areas of land are more commonly found in the lowlands of Scotland compared to the mountains of the Highlands. If you live nearby any farmland or wide open fields, you may be in proximity to a great viewing spot for the Buck Moon. Mountains or hills If you can't find any flat low land due to Scotland's vibrant landscape of rolling hills, you could consider climbing high enough that they won't obstruct the skyline. Scotland is home to countless hills, and some are particularly good for stargazing. For those in proximity to Glasgow, Ballageich Hill is just 25 minutes away by car, and Conic Hill is a short climb near Balmaha that's around an hour away from the city. However, if you're planning to climb a hill or mountain at night, it's vital to be well-equipped with good shoes, appropriate clothing, a torch (red-light torches are recommended to prevent disturbing wildlife) as well as a working phone in case of emergency. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Science
- Daily Record
Glorious Buck Moon will light up night sky this week - when and how to see it
Here is everything you need to know about the Buck Moon, including the exact time and date to see it The Buck Moon is set to be the seventh full moon of 2025, coming hot on the heels of last month's eye-catching Strawberry Moon which enthralled Scots stargazers as it bathed in a reddish hue against the night sky. The Buck Moon is the farthest full moon from the sun all year and one of the lowest in the sky. This celestial spectacle is an exciting moment for those who track the lunar cycle with interest. Our Moon's significance to Earth and space exploration is profound. NASA values it as a pivotal proving ground for future deep-space adventures, testing emerging technologies and methods essential for traversing the cosmos. So, with the first full moon of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere about to rise, when can we expect to see the Buck Moon, where will it appear in UK skies, and how did it get its unusual and intriguing name? What is the Buck Moon? A full moon is opposite to the sun in the sky, so it mirrors its position. When the sun is highest in the sky - as it was on the Summer Solstice on June 21 - the moon is at its lowest. This therefore makes the Buck Moon one of the lowest-hanging full moons of of the year. The Buck Moon will also be the farthest full moon from the sun because Earth's orbit of the sun is slightly elliptical. On July 3, Earth was at aphelion, its farthest point from the sun on its orbital path. Since the next full moon is on the side of Earth facing away from the sun, it is the farthest full moon of the year. When will see the Buck Moon? The full moon will grace our skies on Thursday, July 10 at 22:09 BST, BBC Sky at Night has confirmed. The next full moon, the Sturgeon Moon, will rise on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Where and how can we see the Buck Moon? The Buck Moon will rise in the south-southeast, and will be located within the constellation Sagittarius, inside its Teapot star pattern. Sagittarius is one of the most famous summer constellations in the Northern Hemisphere. This constellation lacks bright stars, though, so don't expect to see any close to the full moon. The best time to see the full Buck Moon will be at moonrise, at dusk, on Thursday evening, when the moon will appear on the eastern horizon as an orange orb. Scots can use a moon calculator to determine the exact time they should look for the moon from their location. If you want to see the Buck Moon rising this week, you'll need a clear horizon unobstructed by trees or buildings. Why is it called the Buck Moon? Each full moon through the year has a nickname. Familiar names amongst the annual series of full moons include the Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, Flower Moon, and Harvest Moon. The etymology of the Buck Moon is credited to Native American traditions. As per the Royal Greenwich Museums (RMG), the name traces back to natural wildlife patterns: "Male deer, which shed their antlers every year, begin to regrow them in July, hence the Native American name for July's full moon." This particular lunar event is also known as the Thunder Moon due to the frequent summer storms occurring in July. Alternative titles like the Hay Moon are derived from agricultural cycles such as the hay harvest in the same month. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
'Strawberry Moon' to rise in rare sky event not repeating until 2043
The first full Moon of meteorological summer, known as the 'Strawberry Moon', will light up the skies for stargazers on June 11 - the Moon will sit low in the southern sky Stargazers in the UK are gearing up for a cosmic display as the 'Strawberry Moon' is set to rise next week, but something's different this time around. June's full Moon is an event that casts a glow on our celestial neighbour when sunlight completely illuminates the side of the Moon facing Earth – an occurrence that takes place every 29.5 days, marking a full lunar cycle. The approach of summer heralds the first full Moon of the season, affectionately termed the 'Strawberry Moon', scheduled to grace the night sky on June 11. However, due to a recent occurrence known as a "major lunar standstill", this year's Strawberry Moon will find itself in an atypical position in the British skies. Observers can expect to see the full Strawberry Moon hanging unusually low in the southern sky - the lowest it gets throughout its 18.6-year orbital journey. It's been a long time since the full Moon appeared so low, with the previous occurrence dating back over 18 years to 2006, and it won't repeat until 2043. But what exactly makes the Strawberry Moon standout, and does it actually look different? The Moon dances around Earth in a tilted orbit, which spans almost 20 years, leading to interesting phenomena such as major and minor lunar standstills, during which the Moon reaches extreme points on the horizon, making it appear peculiarly low or high in the sky. Stargazers are in for a treat as the Strawberry Moon is set to rise just 10 days before the summer solstice on June 21, promising a celestial spectacle, reports the Manchester Evening News. NASA has revealed that moons generally appear lower in the sky around the summer solstice, explaining: "On the summer solstice the sun appears highest in the sky for the year. Full moons are opposite the sun, so a full moon near the summer solstice will be low in the sky." Not only will the Moon be hanging low in the night sky, but it's also expected to look larger than usual, with BBC Sky at Night Magazine confirming this illusion. The reason behind the Moon's enlarged appearance is its proximity to the horizon, which tends to make it seem more substantial than it actually is. Best time to see 'Strawberry Moon' in UK For those keen to catch a glimpse of the 'Strawberry Moon' in the UK, mark your calendars for 8.44am BST when the Moon will reach its full phase. Although it will be daylight by then, with sunrise at approximately 4.45am on June 11, the prime viewing time will be at dusk on Tuesday, June 10, when the Moon will dominate the night sky, appearing full all through the night. Why it's called the 'Strawberry Moon'? Each month's full Moon has its own unique moniker; January's is known as the 'Wolf Moon', while February's is dubbed the ' Snow Moon'. Despite not taking on a berry-like hue, the 'Strawberry Moon' owes its name to the season when wild strawberries begin to ripen, as noted by the Farmers' Almanac. Other traditional names for this June spectacle include Rose Moon, Hot Moon, and Mead Moon. Below is the full Moon schedule for 2025, as well as the name given to each one: Monday, January 13 – Wolf Moon Wednesday, February 12 – Snow Moon Friday, March 14 – Worm Moon Saturday, April 12 – Pink Moon (Micromoon) Monday, May 12 – Flower Moon (Micromoon) Wednesday, June 11 – Strawberry Moon Thursday, July 10 – Buck Moon Saturday, August 9 – Sturgeon Moon Monday, October 6 – Hunter's Moon (Supermoon) Wednesday, November 5 – Beaver Moon (Supermoon) Thursday, December 4 – Cold Moon (Supermoon)
