A bigger, brighter full moon will rise over Illinois this week. Why it appears larger
The “buck” full moon will be the first supermoon of the year, and southwestern Illinois residents may be able to get a good look as fireworks decorate the sky for the Fourth of July.
The buck moon became full at 6:39 a.m. Monday morning, and will appear full until Tuesday evening. Belleville residents planning to stargaze Monday night will likely see partly cloudy skies, with a low around 70 degrees.
The night of July 4 should be mostly clear in Belleville, the National Weather Service St. Louis office reports, with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms forecast.
NASA and many publications recognize the buck and three more supermoons in 2023: two in August and one in September. The definition of a supermoon varies, and some publications only recognize the two in August as supermoons as they will be the brightest.
What is the buck supermoon?
July’s full moon is known as the buck moon because this time of year is when male deer’s antlers are in full-growth mode, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
“The term ‘supermoon’ was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 as either a new or full Moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of perigee, its closest approach to Earth,” NASA’s website reads.
Supermoons can appear brighter and larger than typical full moons, Space.com reports.
More full moons in 2023
Here’s when to see more full moons in 2023, with information from Space.com:
Aug. 1: Sturgeon supermoon
Aug. 30: Blue supermoon (appears biggest and brightest of the year)
Sept. 29: Harvest supermoon
Oct. 28: Hunter’s moon
Nov. 27: Beaver moon
Dec. 26: Cold moon
The blue supermoon will be August’s second full moon, and Forbes says the best times to see it will be the evenings of Aug. 30 and Aug. 31.
These moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The Farmers’ Almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.
The St. Louis Astronomical Society will host a public telescope viewing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9 at the Saint Louis Science Center’s McDonnell Planetarium, weather permitting. You can check out the Night Sky Network for information about more stargazing events near Belleville.
