The short version
- The image features the July full moon, traditionally called the Buck Moon, rising over mountains in Croatia.
- Earth's shadow appears as a gray band on the horizon, topped by the pinkish antitwilight arch known as the Belt of Venus.
- This lunar phase precedes the August New Moon, which will be associated with a total solar eclipse.
NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day highlights a celestial scene captured on July 28 from Krk Island in Croatia. The photograph showcases the full moon, referred to by traditional naming conventions as the Buck Moon, ascending above distant mountain ranges along the Adriatic coast. This specific lunar phase occurs when the moon rises simultaneously with the setting sun, creating a unique alignment of atmospheric and celestial elements visible in the twilight sky.
The image reveals distinct atmospheric layers resulting from sunlight interaction with Earth's atmosphere. A diffuse gray band, identified as Earth's shadow, extends upward from the southeastern horizon. Directly above this shadow lies the Belt of Venus, a pinkish arch formed by backscattered sunlight. These phenomena share the eastern horizon with the rising moon, illustrating the complex optical effects that occur during twilight hours.
This observation serves as a precursor to upcoming astronomical events in August. The current full moon phase sets the stage for the subsequent New Moon on August 12. That future lunar position will align to cast a shadow on Earth, resulting in a highly anticipated total solar eclipse. The sequence demonstrates the cyclical nature of lunar phases and their relationship with significant solar events.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- NASA↗APOD: 2026 August 1 – Buck Moon and Belt of Venus
