Beginning Wednesday, the moon will appear full for the next few nights. And it’s not just your average full moon. It’s a supermoon. The supermoon’s moniker doesn’t come from your superhero origin story (sorry), but rather the moon’s position relative to Earth.
The moon rotates around Earth in an elliptical pattern. Its furthest point is known as apogee, while its nearest is called perigee. Supermoons occur about 3-4 times throughout the year when the moon’s distance from Earth is 90 percent or more of its distance from apogee to perigee.
There are four supermoons in 2022. July’s, the Super Buck Moon, will be the closest to perigee this year, making it bigger and brighter than normal.
Don’t look for any antlers on the moon though. Its name — Buck — comes from the growth cycle of a deer’s antlers being in full swing during at this time of year.
“The full moon in July is called the buck moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. “Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.”
There’s a number of ways to catch the moon this week, with most events happening Wednesday evening.
Here’s a few to check out:
From Facebook: “Join our Goat Yoga Class with Sun Saluts in the Sunset, and relax afterwards watching the moon rise up over the farm. We will provide a fire, stories, listen to yours, and burn what is no longer needed.”
7-10 p.m. Farm Jibe-iT, 119 Sunset Hill Rd, Redding.
From Facebook: “Enjoy a beautiful paddle under the setting sun as we wait for the full moon to rise and light the night sky.”
7:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Scoot & Paddle, 28 Naugatuck Ave, Milford.
Moonlight bike cruise with bikes available for rent.
8 p.m. BPT Creates, 1001 Main St Suite 14, Bridgeport
Last car let up at 9:30 p.m.
Peak Dr, Meriden
From Facebook: “Enjoy a naturalist-guided hike at Great Hollow under July’s full moon, known as the “Buck Moon.” Please wear sturdy footwear and bring a flashlight or headlamp. Appropriate for children ages 8 and up. No dogs, please.”
9 p.m. Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 Route 37, New Fairfield
From Facebook: “The Energy of this Supermoon and its present in the sky will be around three days before and three days after its actual debut on July 13.”
Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Light and Heart Wellness, 35 N. Main St., Southington
