Keep your eyes on the skies.
Irish stargazers will be in for a treat as this year’s Buck Moon is set to be visible over the country on Sunday evening, July 21.
The Buck Moon, the name given to July’s full moon, is derived from the time of year deer commonly grow their antlers, and is one of the lowest full moons of 2024.
While the full moon is visible over Ireland for around three days, Sunday, July 21 will be when it is at its most visible.
How July’s Buck Moon got its name
Speaking about the Buck Moon, David Moore, editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, told JOE: “The exact instant of ‘Full’ Moon is 11:17am today, Sunday.
“But, to the naked eye the Moon ‘looks’ Full for 2 or 3 days, so all last night (Saturday) and all tonight (Sunday) will see a Full Moon hanging in the sky!”
David explained the origins of the name ‘Buck Moon’, saying: “It is at this time of year new antlers of buck deer push out from their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.
“The Buck Moon actually comes from native American culture,” he added.
“Given the dominance of the USA online they got to use their oldest culture to popularise the names of each Full Moon, and these names have stuck.”
According to NASA, the name specifically comes from the Algonquin people of the northeastern United States.
David also says that this month’s full moon is particularly interesting as it is one of the lowest Full Moons in the sky.
“Winter Full Moons can be almost overhead but the Full ‘Buck’ Moon will hang low in the South from sunset to sunrise meaning there is ample opportunity for great photographs!”
When you can see the Buck Moon
The Buck Moon will rise on Sunday night first in southeast county Wexford around 10:15pm, and the latest time it will rise is northwest county Mayo around 10:45pm.
It will then be low down near the southeastern horizon until midnight.
Astronomy Ireland encourage anyone who catches a great snap of the Buck Moon tonight to send it on using the contact details on the society’s website astronomy.ie.
Met Éireann have predicted a rather cloudy night on Sunday with scattered showers, so chances might be slim enough to get a clear view of the full moon.
But hopes remain that there will be some clear patches of sky throughout the evening to catch a glimpse of this year’s Buck Moon.
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