Here’s when you can see July’s ‘Buck Supermoon’ in St. Louis, southwest IL area
Wednesday will be your chance to see the biggest and brightest of 2022’s moon phases, according to the Almanac.
The Buck Supermoon will be 222,089.3 miles away from Earth at its nearest, so it will appear about 7% larger than most full moons.
The definition of a supermoon varies, but NASA says it’s when the moon is within 90% perigee of the earth, or as close as it gets to home terrain. Some scientists disagree about the definition of perigee, since it varies depending on the orbit. The term “supermoon” was popularized in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle, according to NASA.
This week’s supermoon will appear brightest around 1:38 p.m. Central Standard Time Wednesday, though it will appear full for most viewers from Tuesday morning to Friday morning.
Here’s what to know about July’s Buck Moon, plus what else you can see in the sky this month.
Why is it called the Buck Moon?
According to the Maine Farmer’s Almanac, Indigenous Algonquin peoples called this supermoon the “Buck Moon” because male deer’s antlers reached peak growth in early summer.
People of various cultures have historically celebrated this supermoon. According to NASA, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains mark this event as the Guru Full Moon. This is a time for “clearing the mind and honoring the guru or spiritual master.”
Theravada Buddhists designate this full moon as “Asalha Puja,” or Dharma Day, or Esala Poya. This festival honors the Buddah’s first sermon, NASA says.
This moon is also known as the thunder moon due to early summer’s frequent thunderstorms. Europeans referred to the supermoon as the hay moon or mead moon.
NASA offered the following advice for the Buck Supermoon: “As usual, the wearing of suitably celebratory celestial attire is encouraged in honor of the full moon. Be safe (especially during thunderstorms), avoid starting wars, and take a moment to clear your mind.”
What else can you see in the sky this July?
Wednesday morning, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Venus will appear to align. The event won’t be as rare as June’s lineup was as the planets are scattering, but you can look up around 3:43 a.m. to see this apparent lineup.
The new moon will occur July 28 around 12:55 p.m. The next day, you might get lucky enough to get a glimpse of Mercury below the waxing crescent moon, NASA says. You may need binoculars or a telescope, though.
July 20 is designated as International Moon Day, celebrating humans first landing on the moon in 1969. The moon will appear half-full around 9:19 a.m. that day.
You can check out the Night Sky Network for astronomy-related events in your area. St. Louis area astronomy groups regularly host skygazing gatherings, meetings and lectures.
This story was originally published July 12, 2022 at 9:15 AM.
