The full buck moon will reach its peak illumination on Thursday, July 10. It’s just one of this month’s celestial highlights.

The Moon looked spectacular over parts of the south on Thursday night. This particular Moon was a Buck Moon, a type of supermoon - when the Moon is closest to the Earth, and full. Monthly full Moons have different names, and July's is named to represent the time of year when male deer, known as bucks, begin to grow their new antlers.

July’s full moon — the first of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere — will reach peak illumination at 4:38 p.m. EST on Thursday, with best viewing during predawn and after dark.