July’s buck moon is also notable as it’s one of the lowest-hanging full moons of the year. That’s because a full moon is directly opposite the sun, mirroring its position; the full moon is at its lowest when the sun is at its highest, as it is in the summer months.

The nickname buck moon refers to male deer, known as bucks, according to Old Farmer's Almanac. The July full moon is known as the buck moon as male deer antlers reach (or come close to reaching) full growth.

The Old Farmer's Almanac, which began publishing full moon names in the 1930s, says some Native American tribes called July's full moon the "buck moon" because it occurs in early summer, when male deer (bucks) typically begin growing new antlers covered in velvety fur.