Buck Moon at its best over Ashfield

Local photographer Paul Horton BEM shot the July full Moon, known as the Buck Moon, that illuminated skies across Ashfield last night, offering one of the most atmospheric stargazing moments of the summer.

Photographed over fields near Sherwood Observatory the Buck Moon is so-called because July is the time of year when male deer – 'bucks' – begin to grow their antlers

The full moon last night was a Waxing Gibbous phase (nearly 99% illuminated), In the UK, it is also traditionally referred to as the Hay Moon or Thunder Moon due to summer harvests and storms

Because it is late July, this full moon follows a very low path across the UK summer sky, which will make it look unusually dramatic, golden, and large as it hugs the horizon.