Tonight’s ‘Buck Moon’ Will Light Up Iowa’s Night Sky

It sure seems like the moon is doing something funky every night in Iowa, doesn't it? Or is it just me?

A bit over two months ago, a total lunar eclipse over the midwestern section of the United States caused what is called a 'Blood Moon.' For those who were able to watch, like me, it was quite a sight.

People across the state caught incredible photos of the natural phenomenon:

Though tonight's 'buck moon' won't display that same shade of red/orange as the blood moon, it will brighten up the Iowa sky in a pretty fantastic way.

According to KWWL, "For those who catch a glimpse, it might appear larger and brighter than other moons of 2022 because it's a supermoon."

NASA says that a supermoon "occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time the Moon is full."

For some space events like this, they only happen for a brief moment. Strangely though, for the buck moon, it's something that will last quite a while.

Chief of NASA's Planetary Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Lab, Noah Petro, elaborates:

Unlike some astronomical events, there's not (a situation where) you've got to look at it this instant or else you miss it. There's really no moment that you have to be looking at it to maximize your enjoyment of the full moon. If it's cloudy and you don't want to be outside, just go one of the next nights.

Like other moons throughout the year, the buck moon earned its nickname from Native American origin.

Per Science of Focus, "By July, it’s usual to see bucks with full-size antlers in preparation for the autumn breeding season. They’ll need to be in top fettle to compete with other bucks for the best females."

Therefore, the Algonquin Tribe dubbed the full moon this month the buck moon.

The Algonquins largely lived in the valley of the Ottawa River and its tributaries in Quebec and Ontario which is northeast of present-day Toronto.