Latest news with #micromoon
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
Buck moon 2025: How to see July's full moon tonight
July's full moon will rise over mostly clear skies in the UK on Thursday, offering sky gazers a great opportunity to witness the celestial event. The full moon, known as the Buck Moon, will officially reach its peak illumination at 9:37 pm BST (4:37 pm EDT), but it will become visible to most observers shortly after sunset. This year's Buck Moon is notable for several reasons. Not only is it the most distant full moon of 2025, appearing slightly smaller in the sky (a so-called "micromoon"), but it also coincides with a period of major lunar standstill. This means the Moon's path is unusually low in the sky, which can amplify the so-called 'Moon illusion' – an optical effect that makes the Moon appear dramatically larger when close to the horizon. Traditionally, July's full moon is also known as the Thunder Moon, due to the prevalence of summer storms across North America. While the name doesn't carry meteorological weight, it highlights the rich folklore associated with lunar cycles. In China, this month's full moon is sometimes referred to as the Hungry Ghost Moon. For the best viewing experience, experts recommend finding a clear vantage point with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. Observing the Moon as it rises is often the most visually impressive, when atmospheric distortion gives it a golden or orange hue. The Buck Moon will remain bright for a day before and after its peak, giving plenty of opportunity to take in the sight – even if clouds partially interrupt it over the coming days.
Fast Company
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Full moon May 2025: Here's the best time to see the flower ‘micromoon' tonight
Disney's 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland taught audiences that 'you can learn a lot of things from the flowers.' But the movie never mentioned the full moon named after those springtime sensations. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, a celestial phenomenon called the 'Flower Moon' occurs today, and despite being 'micro,' it is still a sight to behold. Let's take a deeper look into what all these names mean, and when you can see this 'full flower micromoon.' Why is the May full moon tonight called the 'Flower Moon'? The Old Farmer's Almanac shares popular names given to each month's full moons. Many of these monikers are based in Native American tradition. May is most commonly referred to as the 'Flower Moon,' thanks to the Algonquin people. The name comes from the fact that many flowers begin to bloom in May, thanks in part to all the April showers. Eighteenth century American explorer Jonathan Carver used a similar name in his 1798 publication, Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America. He dubbed the orb 'Month of Flowers,' after living among the Dakota people. American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau references this name in his writings as well. Other tribes' monikers celebrated other spring seasonal delights. The Cree preferred 'Budding Moon' and 'Leaf Budding Moon,' while the Oglala used 'Moon of the Shedding Ponies.' Similarly, the Dakota and Lakota people also utilized the name 'Planting Moon.' The Flower Moon tonight is also a micromoon The Flower Moon is also the third and final micromoon of 2025. A micromoon occurs when the moon becomes full during apogee, which is a fancy NASA word describing the moon at its farthest point away from Earth. May's full moon will be smaller and dimmer as a result, but it's still an impressive satellite (just like humans, the orb can't always give 100%!). When is the best time to see the full Flower Moon tonight? While May's moon reaches peak illumination today at 12:56 p.m. ET, it will appear full for a couple of nights. This gives you enough time to bask in its glory, and maybe even accept a proposal of marriage. Ancient folklore states that love is intensified during this time, because as the moon regulates the tides, it may also impact the water in human bodies. In a similar vein, if you need an excuse not to do laundry, clothes washed during this period are said not to last long. Looking up and ahead After you go for love (or the longevity of your clothes) with this flower micromoon, the rest of 2025 still has plenty in store. Coming attractions include three back-to-back supermoons beginning in October, to finish the year out strong. But before we get there, next month's 'Strawberry Moon' celebrates the time when the sweet fruit is ripe and ready to pick. Stay tuned for more to come on these nighttime displays.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is there a full moon today? Why May's Flower Moon may appear smaller to you
Just a day after Mother's Day comes the May full moon known as the Flower Moon, a micromoon that may appear smaller but is no less worthy of viewing. A full moon is referred to as a micromoon when it occurs around apogee, the point in the moon's orbit farthest from Earth, according to Time and Date. As a result, it can look around 6% to 7% smaller than the average full moon. Californians can enjoy the full moon, known as the Flower Moon, on Monday, May 12. The moon will appear full for a couple of days, said NASA, so you do have some time to look up at the sky. The name of this month's moon is thanks to the flowers that bloom across North America in May, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, which traced back the name to Indigenous peoples. Other names for the full moon in May include the Budding Moon and the Planting Moon. Come June 11 is the Strawberry Moon. While the name may evoke a red-hued moon, it's because Native American tribes used this Strawberry Moon name to mark the ripening of strawberries ready to be gathered, said the Almanac, although there are other names used for June's full moon. Here are the rest of the full moons for 2025: June 11: Strawberry Moon. July 10: Buck Moon. Aug. 9: Sturgeon Moon. Sept. 7: Harvest Moon. Oct. 6: Hunter's Moon. Nov. 5: Beaver Moon. Dec. 4: Cold Moon. Arizona Republic reporter Tiffany Acosta contributed to this article. Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@ This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Is it a full moon tonight? Flower Moon comes right after Mother's Day
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The next full moon is a flower moon. Why is it called that?
Flowers are a popular Mother's Day gift, but what about a flower moon for the day after Mother's Day? The full moon on May 12, is also called a "flower moon" or "micromoon." This full moon might appear a bit smaller than usual because it is a 'micromoon,' which is an apogee full moon. An apogee full moon, according to occurs because our planet's satellite orbits the earth along a path that creates points when the moon is either closest to the Earth or furthest away. The furthest away point is known as apogee. More: Taking trash out: New litter boom to help clean water near Erie Water Works storm outfall During an apogee moon, the natural satellite will be approximately 251,828 miles away from the Earth compared to the average distance of 238,855 miles. The full moon on May 12 is also called the flower moon because of the abundance of flowers that bloom in the spring. This moon has many other names, but the Center for Native American Studies says that the Great Lakes region calls it the 'sucker moon' after the sucker fish. The flower moon will first appear in the east on May 12 during dusk and will set at dawn. According to the National Weather Service, Erie is looking at a mostly sunny day on May 12 followed by a mostly cloudy night with temperatures ranging from the mid 60s to low 70s. The projected sunset time Monday in Erie is 8:32 p.m. with twilight ending at 9:03 p.m. The next full moon will set on June 11 and will be a strawberry moon and will be the final full moon of spring. More: State AG charges New York pair in Bath & Body Works thefts in Millcreek, other locations A strawberry moon is the name given to a full moon that occurs in June. It was named by Native Americans for the strawberry harvest season which traditionally peaks in June. Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why the full moon on May 12 is known as the flower moon.
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Why Monday's Full Moon' Is A ‘Micro Moon' — And When To See It Rise
When is the full moon? If you've witnessed the monthly appearance of a full moon on the eastern horizon during dusk before, you'll notice nothing different when it does so at dusk on Monday, May 12, 2025. It may seem a little large, but that's down to something called the moon illusion, the human brain's propensity to see things close to the horizon as larger than they are. In short, that's all in your head, according to NASA. However, the full "flower moon" (also called the hare's moon, milk moon and planting moon) will be smaller than usual, and, technically speaking, it will appear smaller and dimmer than usual. Although it's not a term used by astronomers, you'll hear it referred to as a "micromoon." A micromoon is when a full moon coincides with the moon's apogee, its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit, according to Timeanddate. The moon's orbital path around Earth is slightly elliptical, so each month, there's a point when it's farthest away (apogee) and closest (perigee). If a full moon coincides with a perigee, it's closer to Earth and bigger in the night sky, also known as a supermoon. If a full moon coincides with apogee, it's farther to Earth and smaller in the night sky, so it's called a micromoon. They may not be widely used terms by astronomers (you're likely to get a roll of the eyes if you ask an astronomer about any of this), but that's not stopped people from rushing to define what is and isn't a supermoon and a micro moon. Timeandate states that a micromoon is a full or a new moon that occurs when the center of the moon is farther than 251,655 miles (405,000 kilometers) from the center of Earth. Meanwhile, a supermoon is when the center of the moon is less than 223,694 miles (360,000 kilometers) from the center of Earth. The moon's average distance from Earth is 238,900 miles (384,472 km). On Monday, the flower moon will be 251,828 miles (405,278 kilometers) away, according to AstroPixels, the second-farthest full moon of the year. The upshot of all this is that this week's flower moon will appear about 12–14% smaller and dimmer than a supermoon, the case being about it's about 25,000 miles (40,000 kilometers) of Earth-moon distance. However, exactly how useful it is to know that is questionable. "A 14% increase in the apparent size of something that can be covered with a fingernail on an outstretched arm won't seem significantly bigger," states NASA. Lucky, then, that the rising of a full moon on Monday will, in a clear sky, be the astronomical highlight of the month — micromoon or not. To see it at its best, find an elevated location, an open field or an east-facing coastline with a clear view of the eastern horizon. To find the best time to see it appear from where you are, use a moonrise calculator. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
