As of Friday, July 4, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 66% of the moon will be lit up and visible to us on Earth. This is also day nine of the lunar cycle. Tonight, there is plenty to see with the naked eye, the most notable being the Mare Vaporum, Mare Fecunditatis, and the Tycho crater.

This year's buck moon will reach its peak illumination at 4:37 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, July 10, 2025. While that timing means it won't be visible in its fullest phase for many viewers until after sunset, the moon will still appear nearly full and luminous throughout the evening and is best caught shortly after moon rise.

Astronomy enthusiasts have another reason to look up this summer as July’s full moon — known as the “Buck Moon” — is set to illuminate the night sky. The full moon set to rise on July 10, 2025.