Full buck moon to illuminate New York sky. Here's when to see it

Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

July’s full moon, known as the Buck Moon, comes in the early morning hours Sunday.

Here’s what to know about the latest full moon.

When is the full moon in July 2024?

The Buck Moon arrives at 6:19 a.m. on July 21, 2024, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The name for this month’s full moon refers to the time of year when male deer antlers grow. Adult male deer grow antlers that fall off every winter and regrow each summer.

The full moon occurs when the moon is opposite of the sun, causing the nearside of the moon to be fully illuminated, according to NASA. The full moon in July is also known as the Squash are Ripe Moon by the Algonquin, the Moon of the Young Corn by the Potawatomi, and the Raspberry Moon by the Anishnaabe.

The full lunar cycle, including all phases from new moon through full moon and back again, takes 29.5 days.

Deer antler facts

A deer with a small rack on its head crosses the road in Durand Eastman Park, November 30, 2021.
A deer with a small rack on its head crosses the road in Durand Eastman Park, November 30, 2021.

  • Animals in the deer family - deer, elks, moose - grow antlers, which are bone and shed every year. This differs from horns, which are grown by bovine animals like cows, goats and sheep.

  • Antlers have the fastest bone growth in the world, with adult white-tailed deer antlers growing as fast as a ¼ inch per day.

  • While antlers are useful during the fall breeding season, deer shed them in the winter. It can make for a sizable weight difference, as deer antlers weigh from 3 to 9 pounds, with healthier deer growing heavier antlers.

More: Deer are wreaking havoc in New York. Here's why

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When is the next full moon of 2024?

The next full moon will be Monday, August 19, 2024. It is known as the Sturgeon Moon in reference to the time of year when fishing is in abundance, including lake sturgeon.

How to photograph the moon

Whether you’re using a top-of-the-line DSLR or the smartphone you carry in your pocket, it’s possible to get a nice picture of the moon. Keeping your camera steady, through the use of a tripod or similar stabilization is important for getting a nice shot on a long exposure.

A better lens will give better detail on the craters and other details on the moon’s surface. Whatever camera you use, setting your ISO low and aperture wide, while shooting with a low shutter speed, will help get a proper exposure of the moon.

— Steve Howe covers weather, climate and lake issues for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he returned to Rochester after working around New York state and in Utah. Share with him at showe@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Full moon July 2024: When to see the Buck Moon in New York