May full moon will be a 'micromoon.' When to see the Flower Moon
The May full moon will reach peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. on Monday, May 12.
But, it won't be as full as some of the other full moons we've seen recently because it's a micro moon.
Micromoons look a bit smaller and dimmer than usual. They occur when a full moon coincides with the point in its orbit when it's farthest from Earth, known as apogee. As a result, the micromoon will appear about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than usual.
Micromoons rise two to three times a year.
But it will still be beautiful. Here's what to know about it.
The full moon in May will reach peak it's peak on Monday, but to sky gazers it will look full tarting Sunday night May 11 through early Tuesday, May 13.
May brings the "Flower Moon," named for the wildflowers the burst into bloom in the North America this time of year. These flowers include lupine, violets (the state flower of Rhode Island), wild garlic, anemones and more.
The name is derived from the Native American Algonquin peoples, the Farmer's Almanac noted.
Other names include:
Budding Moon (Cree)
Leaf Budding Moon (Cree)
Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota)
Egg Laying Moon (Cree)
Frog Moon (Cree)
Moon of the Shedding Ponies (Ogala)
According to the Time and Date website, it is referred to as the "Milk Moon from the Old English Rimilcemona. It means three-milkings-month in modern English because cows were milked three times a day during this time of year. The Celtic and Old English names are Mothers' Moon, Bright Moon, Hare Moon, and Grass Moon."
A full moon can be seen clearly with the naked eye.
But in a past interview with USA Today Network, Tim Brothers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology technical Instructor and observatory manager, said with any case of stargazing, it's much better if you're using a good telescope or a pair of binoculars.
According to Time and Date, they include:
Strawberry Moon: June 11, 2025
Buck Moon: July 10, 2025
Sturgeon Moon: Aug. 9, 2025
Corn Moon: Sept. 7, 2025
Harvest Moon: Oct. 6, 2025
Beaver Moon: Nov. 5, 2025
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: May 2025 full moon will be a micromoon. When the next full moon rise
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