When is the full moon? Here's when May's flower moon will reach its peak

Joyce Orlando, USA TODAY NETWORK
·2 min read

The month's full moon is almost in full bloom.

May's full moon, known as the flower moon, will reach its peak Thursday morning, but don't worry you'll still be able to get in some full moon gazing in. According to NASA, the moon will appear plenty full to our eyes through early Friday evening.

This month's full moon is called the flower moon, heralding the peak of spring and the season of rebirth and renewal, it is also the last full moon before meteorological summer begins in June.

Here's how May's full moon has become known as the Flower Moon and when other full moon's will be this year.

When is the next full moon?

May's Flower Moon will reach its peak around 9:53 a.m. ET/ 8:53 a.m. CT on Thursday, May 23, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. It won't be visible at that time because it will be below the horizon. If you want the best view, the Farmer's Almanac suggests heading out on the evenings of May 22 and May 23.

Why is it called the Flower Moon?

You've heard the adage, April showers bring May flowers, well that gives you the answer to May's full moon being the Flower Moon.

The abundance of flowers that bloom during this time of year announcing the arrival of spring in its full splendor, gives us the name for the full moon this time of year.

What are the different full moons called? When will they be?

Each full moon has its own name. Here in North America we take the names for the full moons from Native Americans.

In the 1930s the Maine Farmers' Almanac began publishing Native American names for full moons, according to NASA. Here's a look at when other full moons are expected to happen in 2024, according to NASA:

  • June 21, Strawberry Moon

  • July 21, Buck Moon

  • Aug. 19, Sturgeon Moon

  • Sept. 17, Harvest Moon

  • Oct. 17, Hunter's Moon

  • Nov. 15, Beaver Moon

  • Dec. 15, Cold Moon

Will there be a lunar eclipse?

Some parts of the world will also see a type of lunar eclipse this week, but Tennessee and the rest of the U.S. will be missing out on it. Weather permitting, the eclipse should be visible from most of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, AccuWeather said.

USA Today contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is the next full moon? May's flower moon will bloom soon