July’s ‘Buck Moon’ returns to Ontario this month

Skywatchers across Ontario will have a chance to catch July’s full moon— known as the Buck Moon—later this month as it makes its annual return, marking the height of summer.

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Buck Moon gets its name from the time of year when male deer grow new antlers.

As bucks mature, each new set of antlers typically grows larger than the last, making the Buck Moon a long-standing symbol of strength, renewal and growth during the summer months.

Many cultures have their own traditional names for July’s full moon, many of which are tied to nature and seasonal changes. The Cree call it the Feather Moulting Moon, while the Tlingit know it as the Salmon Moon, reflecting the return of salmon during the harvest season.

Other names celebrate the abundance of midsummer, including Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Raspberry Moon (Algonquin and Ojibwe), Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota) and the Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee).

Weather and the changing season are also reflected in names such as Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki) and Halfway Summer Moon (Anishinaabe), recognizing the frequent summer storms and the midpoint of the season.

The Buck Moon will reach peak illumination at 10:36 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 29. Because the moon will be below the horizon at that time, the best opportunity to view it will be after sunset, when it rises in the southeastern sky.

For those keeping track of July’s lunar calendar, here are this month’s major moon phases:

• Last Quarter: July 7 at 3:29 p.m.
• New Moon: July 14 at 5:43 a.m.
• First Quarter: July 21 at 7:05 a.m
• Full Moon (Buck Moon): July 29 at 10:36 a.m.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also lists the best dates for seasonal activities based on the moon’s phases. The best days for cutting hay are July 6 to 8, while July 1, 2, 28 and 29 are recommended for setting eggs. July 14 to 29 are considered the month’s best days for fishing.