Tonight’s “buck moon,” named for the time of year when male deer grow their antlers, will be up all night, making it hard to miss, Paul Delaney, professor in physics and astronomy at the University of York. telephone interview on Wednesday. Terms for the full moon are largely cultural and vary by region. Visibility of the supermoon tonight will depend on local weather conditions, Delaney said, expecting the moon to rise as the sun sets Wednesday. “For those interested in photography this is the best time, because as the moon rises over your local horizon, it takes shape in trees and houses and things that are familiar to you,” he said. “So it’s probably the best time to get a really good shot of the moon, but it’s going to be available to you all night.” A full moon occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align in that order. As a result, the sun illuminates the full face of the moon facing Earth. The moon may appear larger and brighter than others this year, making it a “supermoon,” a term typically used when a full moon is within 90 percent of its closest orbit to Earth. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the buck moon is the closest supermoon to Earth this year. Unlike looking at the sun, Delaney says looking at the full moon is perfectly safe, although the moon’s brightness may mean your eyes will need some time to readjust to the dark. Viewers can also use binoculars to view the full moon. With files from CNN
