What is the buck moon and can it be seen in the UK today?

The buck moon is named after the male deer that shed and regrow their antlers in July. (Photo by Sergei Gapon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The buck moon will rise today as the eighth full moon of 2026. July’s full moon is usually the seventh of the year, but because of May’s second full moon – known as the rare blue moon – tonight’s is our seventh. Last month, stargazers were treated to the strawberry moon, which, despite its name, doesn’t actually appear pink in the sky, and earlier this month witnessed the beginning of the Perseid meteor shower, which will reach a peak in mid-August. If you missed out on previous full moons this year, today might be your chance to finally catch one. Read on to learn more about the buck moon and when and how to see it right here. The buck moon will appear at its fullest this afternoon, but it’ll be below the horizon for those of us in the UK. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images) Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. When can I see the buck moon? According to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, the buck moon will appear at its fullest at 3.36pm today. Unfortunately, the buck moon will be located just below the horizon at its peak, so it’s unlikely that you’ll catch a glimpse of it. However, with weather set to be clear across most of England on Wednesday, you’ll still be able to see it as it rises throughout the evening and into the night – it just won’t be at its fullest! Will you be keeping an eye out for the buck moon? (Credits: Peter MacDiarmid/Shutterstock) What does the buck moon mean? All full moons that rise throughout the year are given unique names, and July’s full moon is no different. The names of most full moons originate from the Native Americans, who use each month’s full moon as a calendar system, helping them keep track of seasons. The buck moon is the Native American name for this month’s full moon, named after the male deer that shed antlers and regrow them throughout the month. However, the buck moon has many other names, including the thunder moon for the summer storms that usually occur in July, and the hay moon, named after the hay harvest that happens this month. When is the next full moon in the UK? If you don’t catch this month’s buck moon, don’t worry. There are plenty more full moons happening this year, including: The sturgeon moon on August 28 (5.18am) The harvest moon on September 26 (5.49pm) The hunter’s moon on October 26 (4.12am) The beaver moon on November 24 (2.53pm) The cold moon on December 24 (1.28am) If you’re also looking for more cosmic fun, the Perseids, known as one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year, will continue through to August 24, reaching their peak between August 12 and 13. Also on August 12, the UK, Ireland and some parts of Europe will be treated to a stunning partial eclipse, where around 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon, while viewers in Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain will catch a total eclipse. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Daily horoscope July 29 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign Arrow MORE: Full Moon in Aquarius horoscope: The one thing your star sign needs to stop settling for Arrow MORE: Daily horoscope July 28 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.