If your middle of the night trip to the bathroom has become a whole lot lighter over the last few days, you'll know that the next UK full moon is just around the corner. This month, the full moon in the UK is the Buck Moon. For everything you need to know about the celestial sight, read on.
Best time to see the full moon
If you're in the UK, the best time to get a glimpse of the moon is on the evenings of 28th July and Wednesday 29th July. If the sky is clear, you'll be able to see the moon on both nights, although it officially reaches its full phase at 3:36pm BST on Wednesday.
Best place to see the full moon
The ideal location to see any full moon is a place which promises a combination of minimal or no light pollution and an elevated viewpoint. You should also aim for a clear view of the eastern horizon as the moon appears at its biggest when it's just rising.
Why is it called a Buck Moon?
Buck Moon is the traditional name for the full moon in July. The name is commonly attributed to the Algonquin peoples of North America, who associated it with the time of year when male deer, or bucks, typically begin growing a new set of antlers. Over the summer, the antlers - which are coated in a furry skin called velvet - grow quickly before hardening later in the season.
The moon cycle explained
There are eight stages of the moon cycle, with the whole cycle typically taking 29.5 days. These are: new moon, waxing crescent, first-quarter moon, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third-quarter moon and waning crescent. In 2026, we'll see 13 full moons in total.
