This July full moon signals the time when male deer, or bucks, begin to grow their new antlers, covered in soft velvet.

The moon will be 99% full Friday night, and with mostly clear skies expected for Louisville in the evening, tonight is a good opportunity to view it.

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The Thunder Moon or Buck Moon, as it’s called, the first full moon of the astronomical summer, will occur Thursday. On July 10, the moon will rise in the southeastern sky and will be illuminated throughout the evening until it sets in the southwest.

Sky watchers will have the chance to spot the full Moon glowing a vibrant orange hue tonight. July's full Moon, also known as the Buck Moon, is the first full Moon of summer in the northern hemisphere. It gets its name from the time of year that male deer, called bucks, begin to grow their antlers.

I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere).