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Metro
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Metro
What was the Flower Moon and when will the next one be?
May's full moon – known as the 'Flower Moon' – dazzled people across the UK last night. Also referred to as 'Planting Moon' or 'Milky Moon', it was at its most visible at 5.56pm. Amazed by the phenomenon, starwatchers took to social media to share pictures of the luminous orb rising above rooftops and trees – and they did not disappoint. From London's skyline to Cambridgeshire's Ely Cathedral, the display drew people to their windows for hours. The moon looked much brighter than usual due to the clear skies offering excellent weather conditions. It was visible across much of the Northern Hemisphere and Nasa alerted people to the cosmic wonder: 'Look up tonight for the Full Flower Moon named after the abundance of blossoms that fill the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year.' The 'Flower Moon' is the name given to May's full moon, a term rooted in Native American and Old English traditions. It reflects the time of year when wildflowers are in full bloom across the Northern Hemisphere. Every full moon in May carries this name, while full moons in other times of the year have different ones. The 'Flower Moon' became forming in the early afternoon until reached its peak just before 6pm. Nasa said the satellite planet will appear full for a couple of days before it moves into its next phase. As it begins its journey back toward the sun, the opposite side of the moon now reflects its light. The lighted side appears to shrink, but the moon's orbit is simply carrying it out of view from our perspective. Unfortunately, there will not be another full moon in May, which means that people will have to wait another whole year to witness a 'Flower Moon'. More Trending The next full moon – referred to as known as 'Strawberry Moon' – falls on June 11, according to the Royal Observatory. In North America, the harvesting of strawberries in June gives that month's full moon its name. Europeans have dubbed it the rose moon, while other cultures named it the hot moon for the beginning of the summer heat. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Huge chunk of Soviet rocket may have broken up over southern England MORE: Lego has a new space shuttle set and this one comes with its own private jet MORE: Elon Musk reveals terrifying reason Mars is 'life insurance for humanity'
Boston Globe
12-05-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
Flower Moon offers a celestial treat tonight, but this time it will look slightly different
It's a trick of the mind. 'The moon is so far away that no matter where you are on Earth, the moon always looks the same size,' said Silas Laycock, an astronomy professor at UMass Lowell. 'It is actually the things your mind compares the moon with — a house, a mountain, or anything else — that look bigger or smaller depending on how far away from them you are. So when the moon rises next to a distant house or a faraway mountain, the moon looks enormous." Advertisement This particular moon is known as the Flower Moon because of the profusion of wildflowers that spring up this time of year. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the name can be traced back hundreds of years to the Algonquin and Ojibwe peoples, who used moon names to track the seasons. Advertisement Usually, there are multiple names for each moon, which are based on the traditions of indigenous tribes and colonial America. The Flower Moon has also been called the Planting Moon, Frog Moon, and Egg-laying Moon. One distinction with this Flower Moon is its appearance. It will look a bit smaller and fainter than a typical full moon because it's a micromoon, the third of three this year. That means it's the most distant: at or near the farthest point from Earth — known as apogee — along its slightly elliptical path orbiting the Earth. A micromoon is about 6 percent to 7 percent smaller than an average full moon, according to NASA. A micromoon is about 6 percent to 7 percent smaller than an average full moon, according to NASA. NASA If you miss the the chance to this celestial body tonight, don't worry. The Flower Moon will be out Tuesday and Wednesday nights as well, according to Jackson.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Flower Moon to bloom today: What is it, how to watch
Skywatchers can witness a beautiful celestial event on the night of Monday, May 12, as May's full moon will make an appearance in the sky. May's full moon is famously called the 'Flower Moon', signifying the different kinds of flowers that bloom in the month. Among native Americans, the phenomenon is also called a Budding Moon, Egg Laying Moon, and Planting Moon, according to Time and Date. This year, the full moon of May will also appear as a micromoon. A micromoon, as the name suggests, appears smaller in size than usual and also a bit dimmer, according to a report by USA Today. This lunar event occurs when the moon reaches the farthest point in its orbit from the Earth, also called apogee. According to NASA, the moon is about 251,000 miles (405,500 km) away from Earth when it touches apogee. However, the distance can vary. 'Because the Moon's orbit wobbles and differs depending on where the Sun and Earth are in their orbits, the exact distance of these closest and furthest points varies,' says NASA. According to the USA report, the micromoon will appear about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than it usually would due to its position from earth. Since it will be a full moon which will peak on the night of May 12, the flower moon can be seen from any point with a clear view of the horizon. However, it will be seen more clearly in areas away from city lights and with a better view of the sky. The full moon of May was nicknamed as 'Flower Moon' in some cultures, particularly in Native American culture, due to a variety of wildflowers that bloom during this month in the northern hemisphere. According to Time and Date, some wildflowers that bloom during May in the northern hemisphere include several types of anemone, wild garlic, indigo, bluebells, lupine, sundrops, and violets.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Flower Moon is about to light up May's night sky
The upcoming week will kick off with one of the top astronomical sights of May as the Flower Moon glows in the night sky around the world. Every full moon has multiple nicknames linked to the weather or environmental changes that often occur during the month. The most popular nickname for May's full moon is the Flower Moon, as flowers are in full bloom across North America. Other nicknames for the full moon, which rises on Monday evening, include the Frog Moon, the Egg Laying Moon and the Planting Moon. Monday night's full moon will also appear a smidge smaller and a shade dimmer in the sky as it will be a "micromoon," the opposite of a "supermoon." As the moon orbits the Earth, there are times when it is a bit closer to the planet (perigee) and times when it is a little farther away (apogee). A micromoon occurs when a full moon rises around the same time that it is at its farthest point from the planet. In a side-by-side comparison, a micromoon appears about 14% smaller than a supermoon, but this difference is almost undetectable to the average stargazer when looking at the moon in the night sky. On May 23, the moon will once again be part of an astronomy event as it aligns with Venus and Saturn in the pre-dawn sky. The event will unfold above the eastern horizon with the crescent moon hanging between the two planets.
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
How To See May's Flower Moon Next Week
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. 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@
