The clearest views of the July full moon in the United States will be on the West Coast, the Great Plains and the Midwest, Jennifer Gray, a meteorologist at CNN said. A cold front will move into the southeastern United States on July 12 and 13, potentially causing thunderstorms and rain across the region. She added that parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado are also expecting thunderstorms early this week.
“Unlike some astronomical events, there is no (situation) you have to consider this moment or you will miss it,” said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory. “There really isn’t a moment you should look at to make the most of the full moon. If it’s cloudy and you don’t want to be outside, go one of the next nights.”
This full moon is popularly known as the Buck’s Moon because male deer, or bucks, fully grow their antlers in July, according to the old farmer’s calendar. The antlers shed and grow again each year, becoming larger as the animals age.
The July full moon is known by some other names.
The Tlingit people call it the salmon moon, as the fish often returned to the Pacific Northwest Coast around this time and were ready for harvest. For western Abenaki, it’s the Thunder Moon, referring to frequent thunderstorms during this time of year.
In Europe, the July moon is often called the hay moon for the cannabis-making season in June and July, according to NASA.
The full moon of July corresponds to the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain festival of Guru Purnima, a celebration of clearing the mind and honoring spiritual and academic teachers.
For Petro and other space enthusiasts, this moon is called the Apollo 11 moon. Apollo 11 was the first mission to put humans on the moon. The mission began on July 16, 1969, and landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.
• August 11: Sturgeon Moon
• September 10: Harvest Moon
• October 9: Hunter’s Moon
• November 8: Beaver Moon
• December 7: Cold Moon
Lunar and solar eclipse
There will be another total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse in 2022, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun but only blocks some of its light. Make sure to wear the appropriate eclipse glasses to view the solar eclipse safely because sunlight can damage the eyes.
A total lunar eclipse will also be visible to those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America on November 8 between 3:01 a.m. ET and 8:58 a.m. ET, but the moon will set for those in the eastern regions of North America during that time.
meteor showers
• Aquarids of the South Delta: 29-30 July
• Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
• Perseids: August 11-12
• Orionids: October 20-21
• South of Torres: 4-5 November
• North of Torres: November 11-12
• Leonids: 17-18 November
• Geminids: December 13-14
• Ursids: from December 21 to 22
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive somewhere where the city lights aren’t scattered for the best view.
Look for an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight. Give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes – without looking at your phone or other electronic devices – to adjust to the darkness so that the meteors are easier to spot.
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