Stargazers across the globe are in for a visual delight next week as the first full moon of May, commonly referred to as the “Flower Moon,” prepares to illuminate the night sky.
This full moon will first make its appearance in the eastern sky at dusk on May 12 and will shine brightly through the night, setting in the west with the dawn.
Skywatchers can also enjoy a nearly full moon on the days before and after. However, this month’s full moon is unique in a subtle way.
Unlike the more commonly recognized “supermoon,” the Flower Moon will be classified as a “micromoon,” appearing slightly smaller than the average full moon.
This “micromoon” effect, technically known as an apogee full moon, arises from the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth. This orbit has points where the moon is closest (perigee) and farthest (apogee) from our planet, as explained by Live Science.
This month, the point of apogee nearly coincides with the full moon.
The moment the moon reaches its full brightness will be at 12:56 PM EDT, when the sun is still high above the horizon. Thus, the best opportunity to observe the glowing orb will be later that evening during dusk.
For optimal viewing, it’s best to choose a spot with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon and to check local moonrise and moonset times.
As the moon rises or falls, it may also take on an orange tint due to Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that creates vibrant sunsets.
Lunar enthusiasts can look forward to the next full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, which will grace the night sky on June 11. This will mark the last full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, occurring just 11 days before the summer solstice on June 21.
