MIAMI – Look to the sky early Wednesday morning for a celestial sight – the “Buck Moon,” the brightest supermoon of 2022.
Definitions of a supermoon can vary, but the term generally denotes a full moon that is brighter and closer to Earth than normal and thus appears larger in the night sky.
Some astronomers say that the phenomenon occurs when the moon is within 90% of perigee — which is its closest approach to Earth in orbit.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the July 2022 supermoon will also appear farther south in the sky, adding to its enlarged appearance. The moon will be 222,089 miles away from Earth during its closest approach, about 17,000 miles closer than it is on average, according to NASA.
It is known as the “Buck Moon” because between June and July male deer antlers undergo a period of rapid growth.
July’s supermoon is also known as the “Hay Moon” and “Thunder Moon.
It will hang fairly low all night in the sky before setting close to sunrise. The best time to see it will be around moonrise or moonset.
On Wednesday, July 13 at 5:06 a.m. the moon will be at perigee. While that is an early or late start depending on your bedtime, according to NASA, the moon will appear full for three days between Tuesday and Friday morning, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it.