When is the next full moon?
July's full moon, nicknamed the Buck Moon, rises on Thursday, July 10. The moon turns full at precisely 4:38 p.m. EDT on Thursday. It will also appear bright and full on the days before and after the peak.
The July full moon's nickname comes from the new-growth antlers on male deer that emerge in July in North America, according to Timeanddate.com.
The Buck Moon will be one of the lowest full moons all year, as well as the farthest full moon from the sun of 2025. Its relatively close proximity to the horizon may enhance its apparent size thanks the the "moon illusion," which makes the moon appear bigger when it's close to foreground objects such as trees and buildings.
Full moons of 2025: An overview
Want a get the best view of the moon without breaking the bank? The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is the best budget telescope under $500, in our opinion. Why not check out our Celestron SatarSense Explorer DX 102AZ review?
In 2025, you'll have the chance to see 12 full moons, including three supermoons and two lunar eclipses. Although experienced moon gazers know that the night of the full moon is not the best for observing the lunar surface (even with a good pair of binoculars), the full moon rising as an orb at dusk is a celestial view that's hard to beat.
Each full moon has a unique name that reflects its agricultural past. Besides the usual collection of full moons in 2025, there will also be three supermoons (when the moon's monthly perigee, or closest point to Earth, coincides with its full phase) and two total lunar eclipses, the first since 2022.
Full moon guide: When are the full moons of 2025?
Here are all of the full moon dates and times for 2025, according to timeanddate.com, including the most commonly used names in North America:
- Monday, Jan. 13: Wolf Moon (22:26 UTC/5:26 p.m. EST)
- Wednesday, Feb. 12: Snow Moon (13:52 UTC/8:52 a.m. EST)
- Friday, March 14: Worm Moon (6:54 UTC/2:54 a.m. EDT) — also a total lunar eclipse
- Saturday, April 12: Pink Moon (0:22 UTC/8:22 p.m. EDT)
- Monday, May 12: Flower Moon (16:56 UTC/12:56 p.m. EDT)
- Wednesday, June 11: Strawberry Moon (7:44UTC/3:44 a.m. EDT)
- Thursday, July 10: Buck Moon (20:39 UTC/4:39 p.m. EDT)
- Saturday, Aug. 9 Sturgeon Moon (7:58 UTC/3:58 a.m. EDT)
- Sunday, Sept. 7: Corn Moon (18:12 UTC/2:12 p.m. EDT) — also a total lunar eclipse
- Monday, Oct. 6: Harvest Moon (3:50 UTC/11:50 p.m. EDT) — also a supermoon
- Wednesday, Nov. 5: Beaver Moon (13:21 UTC/8:21 a.m. EST) — also a supermoon
- Thursday, Dec. 4: Cold Moon (23:15 UTC/6:15 p.m. EST) — also a supermoon
Lunar eclipses 2025
The two lunar eclipses in 2025 will be hugely impressive events. The first, on March 13 to 14, will be a total lunar eclipse, during which the full Worm Moon will drift through Earth’s inner umbral shadow and turn a reddish-orange color for 65 minutes from 2:26 to 3:32 a.m. EDT, according to Timeanddate.com. It will be best seen from North and South America.
The second, on Sept. 7 to 8, will be another total lunar eclipse, during which the Harvest Moon will enter Earth’s inner umbral shadow and turn a reddish-orange color for 82 minutes from 1:30 to 2:52 a.m. EDT, according to Timeanddate.com. It will be best seen from Asia and Australia.
What are the moon's phases?
Scientists typically break the moon's 29.5-day cycle into 8 phases, determined by the relative positions of the moon, Earth and sun.
The "new moon" begins the cycle when the moon is exactly between Earth and the sun. We cannot see the moon when it's new; no sunlight is reflected from its Earth-facing side. A new moon is the only time when a solar eclipse is possible. Two partial solar eclipses will occur in 2025: on March 29 and Sept. 21.
As more sunlight hits the moon's Earth-facing side, we say the moon is waxing. The next phase of the moon is called a waxing crescent, followed by the "first quarter" phase. Half of the moon's visible surface appears illuminated during the first quarter.
Next comes the waxing gibbous moon, which is partway between a first quarter and a full moon. Halfway through the lunar cycle, the full moon rises and the moon shines bright and large in the sky. During this phase, the moon and sun are on opposite sides of Earth, and the moon's entire Earth-facing side is illuminated.
After the full moon, the waning cycle begins — first with the waning gibbous phase, then a "last quarter moon" and finally a waning crescent. After almost 30 days, the moon becomes "new" again, and the cycle repeats.
Editor's note: This article is updated monthly. It was last updated on July 10, to include information about July's full Buck Moon.
