The name “buck moon” is in reference to male deer, or bucks, which start to rapidly grow their antlers this time of year. This year’s buck moon reached its peak illumination at 4:37 p.m. ET on Thursday, which is when it was fully visible and low on the horizon for stargazers in North America.

Find out what time the full moon rises on July 10, 2025, how to see the Buck Moon from your location, and why it looks bigger near the horizon.

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Skywatchers may have a harder time spotting July's full moon in Iowa. The evening of Wednesday, July 9, is expected to have 50-80% cloud cover across the state with some thunderstorms possible starting in western Iowa around 10 p.m. and moving across the state through the night, according to the National Weather Service.

The combination of high humidity water vapor and the unique summer clouds make the name fit right for the Thunder Moon. This full moon is also called the Buck Moon, which is also timely named. Male deer start growing horns around July here in Michigan according to Matt Bierlein, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities in Frankenmuth, MI.