Buck Moon: First Supermoon of 2023 puts on celestial show

The July full moon is known by its Native American name -- the Buck Moon -- because deer antlers are in full growth during the summer.

This year's four Supermoons happen during the next three months, with the first rising the night before America's birthday.

On July 4, the full moon will rise as evening twilight ends, according to NASA.

While the moon reached its full phase on Monday, the moon will still appear close to full through Tuesday evening.

Cloud cover may block some views of the moon July 3-4 from the Southeast to the Northeast, with rain in the forecast for the holiday weekend.

The July full moon is known by its Native American name – the Buck Moon – because deer antlers are in full growth during the summer. 

Photographers around the world got creative with the Supermoon on Sunday night using architectural backgrounds to show off the glowing moon.

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A 99.7 percent illuminated Buck Moon rises through a haze behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on July 2, 2023, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.  (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) ( )

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The Full Buck supermoon rises over Seaton Sluice in Northumberland. The July supermoon is arriving to its closest point to Earth at 224,895 miles (361,934km) - around 13,959 miles (22,466km) closer than usual. It appears 5.8 per cent bigger and 12.8 per cent brighter than an ordinary full moon. Picture date: Sunday July 2, 2023. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images) ( )

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The buck moon rising in the sky over a lighthouse is seen at port of Malaga. At the beginning of July, the full deer moon takes place as one of the most striking astronomical events of the month. When the full moon takes place it appears larger and brighter than normal. (Photo by Jesus Merida/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) ( )

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The Buck Moon rises through a haze behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on July 2, 2023, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.  (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) ( )

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Supermoon also known as 'Buck Moon' sets over the Statue of Liberty in New York City, United States on July 3, 2023. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )

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Supermoon also known as 'Buck Moon' is seen on July 3, 2022 in Mojokerto, East Java Province, Indonesia. (Photo by WF Sihardian/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ( )

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The first supermoon of 2023, also known as ''buck moon'' is seen through the gaps in the branch of a neem tree at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on July 3, 2023. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ( )

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People watch as the "buck moon" rises over the skyline of Kuwait City on July 3, 2023. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

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A general view of the supermoon also known as 'Buck Moon' appearance over multi-story buildings on July 03, 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Firdaus Wajidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )

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People watch as the "buck moon" rises over the skyline of Kuwait City on July 3, 2023.  (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

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A full moon rises above Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City, on July 3, 2023. (Photo by Chen Junqing/Xinhua via Getty Images) ( )

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A full moon rises above buildings in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 3, 2023. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua via Getty Images) ( )

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KORLA, CHINA - JULY 03: A full moon rises in the sky on July 3, 2023 in Korla, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It is the lowest full moon of the year and the lowest since 2006. (Photo by Xue Bing/VCG via Getty Images) ( )

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GUANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 04: A full moon rises above the Canton Tower on July 4, 2023 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China. It is the lowest full moon of the year and the lowest since 2006. (Photo by Wu Wenjun/VCG via Getty Images) ( )

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KORLA, CHINA - JULY 03: A full moon rises in the sky on July 3, 2023 in Korla, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It is the lowest full moon of the year and the lowest since 2006. (Photo by Xue Bing/VCG via Getty Images) ( )

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ALTAY, CHINA - JULY 04: A full moon rises in the sky on July 4, 2023 in Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It is the lowest full moon of the year and the lowest since 2006. (Photo by Tang Xiaobo/VCG via Getty Images) ( )

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TORONTO, ON - JULY 3 :  Full Moon rises over CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )

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The Full Buck supermoon rises over St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast of England. The July supermoon is arriving to its closest point to Earth at 224,895 miles (361,934km) - around 13,959 miles (22,466km) closer than usual. It appears 5.8 per cent bigger and 12.8 per cent brighter than an ordinary full moon. Picture date: Monday July 3, 2023. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images) ( )

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A full moon is seen over Kuwait City, Kuwait, on July 3, 2023. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua via Getty Images) ( )

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Supermoon appears in the sky over the Laxminarayan temple , in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, July 03, 2023. (Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ( )

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BAGHDAD, IRAQ - JULY 03: Super Moon rises over buildings in Baghdad, Iraq on July 03, 2023. (Photo by Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )

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03 July 2023, Saxony, Dresden: The full moon rises in the evening in the sky behind the Frauenkirche. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa (Photo by Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )

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TOPSHOT - This photograph taken in Paris on July 3, 2023 shows the July's supermoon, known as the Buck Moon, with the 'Pont de Bercy' in the foreground. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP) (Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

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03 July 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: The full moon rises over the Cologne Cathedral. This and the next full moons in August and September appear larger to the observer because the moon is closer to the earth. Photo: Henning Kaiser/dpa (Photo by Henning Kaiser/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )

Depending on the Native American tribe, religion or place of origin, the July full moon has many other names. It is also known as the Thunder Moon, Rose Moon, Hay Moon or Mead Moon.

What is a Supermoon?

It's considered a Supermoon because the Moon will be closest to Earth during this part of its orbit. The effect of the full Moon and the close orbit will make it appear larger and brighter, but only by about 7%, according to the Farmers' Almanac.

With the Fourth of July the following day, the nearly full Moon will create a beautiful backdrop to fireworks and festivities if rain doesn't get in the way.

The next two Supermoons happen in August, and the year's final Supermoon happens in September.

July's sky-gazing forecast will also feature four planets visible in the sky and a chance to see the Milky Way's core by mid-month.