July 12 - Full Moon 11:25 UTC
This full moon was known by early Native Americans of the Algonquin tribe, according to the Farmers Almanac, as the Full Buck Moon. This was because the male buck deer would begin to grow their new antlers at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Full Thunder Moon by the same tribe due to the number of lightning strikes during this time of year. Also, this same moon was known as the Full Hay Moon by some Europeans.
July 26 - New Moon 22:42 UTC
This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
July 28, 29 - Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to August 23. It peaks this year on the night of July 28 and morning of July 29. This should be a great year for this shower because the thin crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
August 10 - Full Moon 18:09 UTC
This full moon was known as the Full Sturgeon Moon by Native American fishing tribes of what is now the northern and eastern United States. This was because of the large sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon. This is also the closest and largest full Moon of the year, an annual event that has come to be known as a "super moon" by the media. The truth is that it appears only slightly larger and brighter than normal and most people are not really able to tell the difference.
Moon Phases and Astronomy
By Pandora Wolf
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