Stunning photos capture July's Buck Moon over the UK

A large moon shining in a clear sky over Windsor CastleImage source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / IAN
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The full Buck Moon shone brightly over Windsor Castle on Wednesday night

BySophia Cobby
  • Published

The July full Moon, also known as the Buck Moon, illuminated the sky over the UK on Wednesday night.

Skygazers captured stunning photos of the celestial display - which reached its peak at 15:36 BST - after the skies darkened.

The Buck Moon marks the second of three full Moons this summer.

The next chance to see one will be in the end of August, as the Sturgeon Moon rises as the final full Moon of season.

The Buck Moon spotted in Cornwall over some very dried out fields.Image source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS /JANE LEWARNE
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The Buck Moon spotted in Cornwall over drought affected fields

The Buck Moon glowing orange in the night sky above a treeImage source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / JOE MAC
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The Buck Moon glowing a warm orange tone

The Buck Moon rising behind St Michael's Mount in Cornwall. Image source, Getty Images/MATT CARDY
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The Moon was almost full on Tuesday evening

Why is it called a Buck Moon?

The Buck Moon creating a sunset over the sea on a beach in Devon.Image source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / FRANCES B
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The Buck Moon is named after the time of year where male deer grow antlers

As with the other full Moons across the year, it gets its name from events happening in nature around the same time.

Historically, full Moons have been given nicknames to help people keep track of time and monitor the changing seasons.

The July full Moon gets its name from the time of year when male deer, or bucks, rapidly grow a new set of antlers.

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich also refers to this Moon as the Thunder Moon, due to the summer storms that often happen in this month.

A huge orange full buck moon in the sky above a field.Image source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / YEN MILNE
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July's full Moon peaked at 15:36 BST on Wednesday

The Buck Moon spotted above a harbour full of boats in Great Yarmouth.Image source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / SIMON LUCKMAN

When is the next full Moon?

Following the Buck Moon, there is just one more opportunity to spot a full Moon during meteorological summer.

The Sturgeon Moon - named after the freshwater fish caught by Native Americans in the Great Lakes, will rise on 28 August.

Meteorological autumn then begins on 1 September.

Buck Moon shining above a harbour with small boats and buildings beneath Image source, BBC WEATHER WATCHERS / MOXLEY
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The next full Moon will rise on 28 August