NASA said that the name “Buck Moon” comes from the Maine Farmer’s Almanac, which attributed the name to the Algonquin tribes of the northeastern U.S. According to the almanac, this is because early summer is when the bucks grow new antlers.
The almanac also said Native Americans called this the Thunder Moon due to frequent thunderstorms at this time of year.
However, that is not the only name for this full moon – other names NASA listed from around the world include the Hay or Mead moon in Europe; the Guru Full Moon for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains; and Asalha Puja, Dharma Day or Esala Poya for Theravada Buddhists.
Although NASA said the fullest phase of the moon already officially arrived at 2:38 p.m. Wednesday, it will still appear full through early Friday morning.
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