APOD: 2026 August 1 – Buck Moon and Belt of Venus

On July 28th, photographers along the Adriatic coast captured a stunning celestial moment: the full Buck Moon—July's traditional full moon—rising over the mountains of Croatia. NASA News reports that alongside this luminous sight, something equally subtle and striking appeared. As the moon rose, Earth's own shadow became visible in the twilight, a diffuse gray band stretching across the southeastern horizon. Above it lay the Belt of Venus—a pinkish arc of backscattered sunlight that creates a striking contrast with Earth's shadow. The scene served as a preview of sorts: on August 12th, the New Moon will cast its shadow across Earth in a total solar eclipse.

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