When Is The Next Full Moon? Exactly When, Where And How To See July’s ‘Buck Supermoon’ Rise In The East From Where You Live

Are you ready for the first full Moon of summer 2022?

Although it will rise as late as any full Moon in the northern hemisphere. there’s a good reason to stay up late to see our natural satellite in space appear on the eastern horizon. Not only will it be draped in gorgeous orange hues—as every rising Moon is when seen on the horizon—but the full “Buck Moon” also happens to be a “supermoon.”

Depending on what definition of supermoon you use it’s either the third or the second supermoon of the year. Either way it will be the second-largest looking full Moon of the year thanks to it being 100% illuminated by the Sun less than 10 hours after it being at its closest point to the Earth in its monthly orbit.

Here’s everything you need to know about the full “Buck Moon”—also called the “Thunder Moon”—including exactly when, where and how to see it at its biggest, brightest and best from where you are:

When is the ‘Buck Moon?’

The full “Buck Supermoon” will occur on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 18:38 Universal Time. It will appear to the eye to be full for a few nights either side.

Why to watch the ‘Buck Moon’ rise

The full moon is always best viewed as it rises. Only on the night of the full Moon is it possible to see the Moon appear on the horizon during dusk. Since it rises about 50 minutes later each night it therefore rises during the day just before the full Moon and after dark after the full Moon.

Not only does a rising full Moon look orange because you’re viewing it through a lot of atmosphere (as with a sunset), but it’s the only time of the month you get to see the disc in the context of its environment. That’s important because when your brain sees the Moon next to trees, buildings or mountains it compares it to them in terms of size. What happens is that your brain makes the full Moon look bigger than it actually is. This is called the “Moon illusion” and it only really happens when you view the full Moon on the horizon. To do that you have to get your timing spot-on.

Best time to see the ‘Buck Moon’

Here are the exact times to see July’s “Buck Moon” from a few key cities, but do check the exact times of moonrise and moonset for your location. If you don’t see the full Moon peek above the horizon at precisely these times—low cloud and horizon-haze mean you’ll have to wait for a few minutes. What is certain is the the “Buck Moon” will appear!

Just after sunset on Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Wednesday evening offers the best opportunity to see the full “Buck Moon” rise into a twilight sky:

  • In New York sunset is at 8:28 p.m. EDT and moonrise is at 9:00 p.m. EDT (the moment of full Moon is at 1:39 p.m.EDT).
  • In Los Angeles sunset is at 8:06 p.m. PDT and moonrise at 8:41 p.m. PDT (the moment of full Moon is at 10:39 a.m. PDT).
  • In London sunset is at 9:14 p.m. BST and moonrise at 9:47 p.m. BST (the moment of full Moon is at 6:39 p.m. BST).

Where to see the ‘Buck Moon’

Look east. Get yourself to an observing location that has a clear unobstructed view low to the eastern horizon. The full Moon always rises in the east at dusk (opposite a sunset, or thereabouts) and sets in the west the following morning (opposite a sunrise).

How to see the ‘Buck Moon’

The first full Moon of the northern hemisphere’s summer season, the “Buck Moon” will rise in the east just after sunset, shine brightly all night and then set in the west close to sunrise.

You don’t need any special equipment to see a full Moon—your own unaided eyes are perfect. However, if you do have a a pair of binoculars then get them ready for a stunning close-up.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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