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Astronomy

What is the Full Flower Moon and how often can it be seen in the US?

The Full Flower Moon will be visible on Thursday night. Here’s why the phenomenon has that name, and at what time the moon will shine its brightest.

La Luna Llena de las Flores llega este 23 de mayo. Te explicamos por qué se llama así y a qué hora alcanza la iluminación máxima.
Borja SuarezREUTERS

The Full Moon occurs approximately once a month when the Earth, Sun and Moon are aligned and the Earth is between the other two. This month the Full Moon can be observed on May 23.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the full moon will reach maximum illumination at 9:53 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, May 23.

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon will be below the horizon at that time. To find out what time the Moon will be visible in your area, you can use the tool offered by the publication.

The Moon will appear full until early Friday night.

Why is it called Full Flower Moon?

The name ‘Flower Moon’ has been attributed to the Algonquin peoples, as confirmed by Christina Ruddy of the Algonquin Way Cultural Center in Pikwakanagan, Ontario, reports The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Carver, in his publication Travels through North America in the years 1766, 1767 and 1768, also called the May Moon the “Month of Flowers” as a probable name that originated from the state of Dakota.

According to NASA, The Maine Farmers’ Almanac began publishing names given by Native Americans to full moons in the 1930s and these names are now widely known and used. According to this publication, as a full moon in May, the Algonquian tribes of what is now the northeastern United States called it the flower moon because of the flowers that are abundant this time of year. It is also known as the Corn Moon or Corn Planting Moon.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next full moon is the Strawberry Moon, which will appear on Friday, June 21. It will reach its maximum illumination point at 9:08 p.m. E.T.

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