It’s going to be a busy summer for astrophiles in North Carolina, with six major celestial events visible from the Tar Heel State between late June and late August. Celestial events, or observable astronomical occurrences, can include meteor showers, lunar phases, or auroras, to name just a few examples.
Keep reading to discover what celestial events you can expect to see this summer, when they’ll occur, and what you can do to ensure you get the best view.
June 29: Strawberry Moon
Not long after the summer solstice—the longest day of the year and the astronomical start of summer—comes the first celestial event of the season. On Jun. 29 at 7:56 p.m. local time, summer’s first full moon will reach peak illumination.
The moon, also known as the Strawberry Moon, got its name from various Native American tribes because late June is the time when many berries, such as strawberries, are ripe and ready to harvest. Berries Ripen Moon, an alternative name used by the Haida people, also reflects this.
In North Carolina, the best time to view the Strawberry Moon is around sunset. Look toward the southeast horizon to watch the moon climb into the summer sky. When close to the horizon, the moon will appear significantly larger compared to when it’s high in the sky because of a phenomenon called moon illusion.
Depending on where you live in North Carolina, there are a number of full moon watch parties and events you can attend. For example, Carolina Beach Pier hosts a monthly full moon party with live music, fire pits, and food and drinks available for purchase. In Bakersville, NC Outdoor Adventures hosts nighttime paddle tours for full moons, meteor showers, and other celestial events.
July 29: Buck Moon
The Buck Moon—summer 2026’s second full moon—will peak on Jul. 29 at 10:36 a.m. local time.
The Buck Moon gets its name because during the month of July, male deer (or bucks) are regrowing their antlers. July’s full moon has several other names, many of which also reference animals. The Tlingit people call it Salmon Moon, referring to the time when fish are ready to be harvested, and the Cree people use the name Feather Moulting Moon.
Because the Buck Moon peaks during the daytime, you should plan to view it when it’s rising after sunset. You can, of course, simply enjoy the moon by looking at it with only your eyes. But for a different perspective, consider using binoculars or a telescope to see parts of the moon you can’t view with the naked eye, such as cracks, craters, and valleys.
July 30-31: Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower and Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower
Late July treats us to two meteor showers: the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower and the Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower. The Southern Delta Aquariids will be active from about Jul. 12 to Aug. 23, and the Alpha Capricornids will be active from Jul. 12 to Aug. 12, but both are expected to peak between Jul. 30 and 31.
Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower
It’s believed that the space debris that interacts with Earth’s atmosphere to create the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower comes from comet 96P/Machholz, which orbits the sun about once every five years.
Southern Delta Aquariids is best viewed from the southern hemisphere, and it’s made up of meteors that are faint and therefore often hard to spot. Additionally, the full moon on Jul. 29 may significantly reduce visibility. Despite all this, it’s not impossible for North Carolinians to see the shower.
For the best possible viewing experience, consider heading to one of North Carolina’s dark sky parks (areas that are known for exceptional stargazing because light pollution is minimal). Cape Lookout National Seashore and Mayland Earth to Sky Park’s Bare Dark Sky Observatory are both certified International Dark Sky Parks.
You can also focus your gaze on the shower’s radiant (the constellation that it originates from). In this case, the radiant is the constellation Aquarius. Once you reach your stargazing spot, lie flat on your back if possible and allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust (avoid looking at your phone or any bright lights during this time).
Keep in mind that the optimal viewing window for meteor showers is typically between midnight and dawn, so you may want to bring along some coffee.
Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower
The Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower originates from debris left behind by comet 169P/NEAT, which is thought to be nearing extinction. The shower isn’t very strong, averaging about five meteors per hour, but it notably produces many slow-moving, bright fireballs.
Unlike the Southern Delta Aquariids, the Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower is equally visible from both sides of the equator. However, visibility of this shower will also be impacted by the Buck Moon.
For reference, when trying to view Alpha Capricornids, its radiant point is located in the constellation Capricornus near the star Alpha Capricorni.
Aug. 12-13: Perseids Meteor Shower
If you only catch one meteor shower this summer, make it the Perseids. The Perseids Meteor Shower is the last of the summer 2026 meteor showers—and arguably the best. Active from about Jul. 17 to Aug. 24, this shower will peak between Aug. 12 and 13 and will be much easier to see than the two that came before it.
The Perseids Meteor Shower can easily be seen from the northern hemisphere and produces between 30 and 50 shower members per hour. The moon is new on Aug. 12 rather than full (the case with the two earlier summer showers), which means visibility will be high.
The Perseids Meteor Shower’s radiant is in the constellation Perseus, and it originates from debris left behind by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
Aug. 28: Sturgeon Moon
The Sturgeon Moon is the final full moon of the summer. This moon will achieve peak illumination at 12:18 a.m. local time on Aug. 28. Head outside during moonrise on Aug. 27 and watch the eastern-southeastern horizon for a spectacular view.
The Sturgeon Moon gets its name from the sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. The freshwater, prehistoric-looking fish were easily caught in late summer and were a major part of the diet of Native Americans who lived in the area.
Some alternative names for August’s full moon include Flying Up Moon (Cree), Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Harvest Moon (Dakota), Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe), Black Cherries Moon (Anishinaabe), and Mountain Shadows Moon (Tlingit).
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Related: Your guide to North Carolina’s spring sky spectacles
