It’s a Super Full Buck Moon

by Sid Baglini

Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 8:30 pm

Midsummer is the perfect time to join us for a walk under The Full Buck Moon. The actual full Moon will occur on Wednesday, but will not clear the horizon until after 9:30 pm, so we are walking on the 12th, when it will appear just as full, but will be visible at a more reasonable hour for our group. 

Native Americans observed the rapid growth of antlers on bucks in midsummer and so named it The Full Buck Moon. It’s also known as The Full Thunder Moon, a nod to the frequency of violent thunderstorms this time of year. The Salmon Moon references the return of the fish to the rivers where they were easily speared or netted.  The Red Berry Moon, coming a month after The Strawberry Moon, suggested that foraging for lush red fruits continued in July. Similarly, The Ripening Moon and The Hay Moon define what daily life was like for farmers during this time of The Midsummer Moon.

This will be our third month in a row to experience what is classified as a Supermoon, defined as a full Moon that occurs when it is within 90% of its closest pass to Earth on its elliptical orbit.  Since this will mark the closest of the three passes it has made in May, June and July, it will be the most “super” of this year’s Supermoons. It will appear about 16% brighter than your average Full Moon. It is also your last chance to catch sight of a Supermoon in 2022. Of course, since we are walking 18 hours before the official Super Full Moon peaks, in order to fully experience it you should plan to step out after 9:30 on the 13th and feast your eyes.

We hope you can join us at 8:30 pm on July 12th for a walk with a group of lunar enthusiasts who are also known as Moonatics.  We meet at the entrance to Malvern Arts by the Baptist Church parking lot at First and Channing Avenues.

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