For stargazers, the Perseid meteor shower (which is visible in Florida) may be the highlight of the summer. But there’s also a full moon right around the corner, and it will coincide with the dates of the meteor shower.
The meteor shower will peak between the full moons in July and August. But if you’re stargazing (or moongazing) in a dark enough sky, it’s possible to spot the Buck Moon and catch a glimpse of the meteor shower on the same night next week.
Here’s when the July full moon will peak, why it’s called the Buck Moon and a July and August moon phase calendar.
When is the next full moon?
The July full moon, called the Buck Moon, will peak on Wednesday, July 29, at 10:36 a.m. ET.
How long does the moon look full?
Although a full moon only stays truly full for a moment, it does appear full to the naked eye for a few days, so the July 29 moon will likely appear full to the naked eye through July 31.
“The moon appears full to the eye for two to three nights,” according to EarthSky. “However, astronomers regard the moon as full at a precisely defined instant, when the moon is exactly 180 degrees opposite the sun in ecliptic longitude.”
When is the Perseid meteor shower active? 2026 dates
“The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere,” the American Meteor Society says.
The Perseid meteor shower activity began on July 17, will stay active through Aug. 24, and will peak on Aug. 12 or Aug. 13. In general, the best time to see meteors is between midnight and dawn. The Perseids have also been known to appear as early as 10 p.m. local time, according to NASA.
“They reach a strong maximum on August 12 or 13, depending on the year. Normal hourly rates seen from rural locations range from 30-50 shower members per hour at maximum,” according to the American Meteor Society.
What phase is the Moon in tonight? July, August 2026 moon phases
Today, July 22, the moon is in the waxing gibbous phase of the lunar cycle and is 56% illuminated, according to Space.com. It will stay in the waxing gibbous phase until the full moon on Wednesday, July 29.
Here are the moon phases from July 22 through the August full moon:
2026 full moon calendar
Here’s when to expect the remaining full moons this year:
Why is July’s full moon called the Buck Moon?
The July full moon is called the Buck Moon because male deer (called bucks) have full-grown antlers at this time of year. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers annually, and they get bigger and more impressive each year.
“Male deer antlers begin to grow in late spring. Antlers grow as fast as a quarter of an inch per day or one and one-half inches per week during this period, making them the fastest-growing bones in the world,” The Farmers’ Almanac says.
“Antlers grow from the pedicel in the buck’s skull. The lengthening daylight in spring triggers the hormones that start the growth each spring. Buck antlers can easily be spotted in full velvet come July.”
Here are some other names for the July full moon, according to The Farmers’ Almanac:
Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Lianna Norman is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: July’s full moon is 1 week away. When to look up in Florida
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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By Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
