How To See May's Flower Moon Next Week
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The night sky will be putting on a dazzling display next week as May's Flower Moon rises, giving spring a touch of cosmic enchantment. Here's how to catch it at its brightest.
Reaching its peak at 12:57 p.m. EDT on May 12, the Flower Moon, which is the second full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, will be best visible as it rises at moon-rise, during dusk.
But don't worry if you can't catch it at the exact right time! It will also appear full and bright on the nights of May 11 and May 13, making for plenty of opportunity to enjoy this celestial phenomena.
A stock image shows a full moon with flowers silhouette in the night.
A stock image shows a full moon with flowers silhouette in the night.
getty images
Where to see the Flower Moon in May
To fully enjoy the Flower Moon, a place with minimal light pollution offers the best visibility. Stargazers are recommended to find an elevated location, ideally an open field, or a quiet coastline with a clear view of the eastern horizon.
While the naked eye works for this annual lunar event, binoculars or a small telescope can offer a better view of the satellite's craters.
The exact best time to see the Flower Moon at its brightest varies depending on your location in the world. A moon-rise calculator can be helpful in identifying the best time to witness this phenomenon wherever you are.
In New York, moon-rise on the 12th of May will be around 8:31 p.m. EDT. In Los Angeles, meanwhile, it will be at 8:15 p.m. PDT.
May's Flower Moon will be a Micro-moon
This year's Flower Moon will appear slightly smaller than usual because it's a "micro-moon"—the opposite of a "super-moon."
The technical term for this is an apogee full moon, which happens when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit. This year, the Flower Moon will coincide closely with the apogee, making it about 251,828 miles away instead of 238,855 miles.
Origins of the name
Connecticut College astronomer professor Alex Gianninas previously told Newsweek that the Flower Moon takes its name from the obvious connection with flowers blooming at this time of year.
"However, some Native American names for the full moon in May include the Egg Laying Moon and Planting Moon."
The lunar event occurs each May on a different date. Last year, it was on May 23, and appeared full for around three days.
A stock image shows a photographer taking pictures of the moon.
A stock image shows a photographer taking pictures of the moon.
getty images
How to Photograph the Moon
Photographing the moon can be challenging if you don't have the right equipment. Award-winning Hungarian astro-photographer Rafael Schmall previously told Newsweek that he recommends using DSLR or mirror-less cameras when capturing the moon.
He added that some bridge cameras with powerful zoom lenses are also capable of shooting the rising or setting moon. A light but strong tripod is also necessary.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the moon? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
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