A composite image showing the Full Moons in 2020 and 2021 by month. Credit: Soumyadeep Mukherjee.
The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight. Thanks to the Moon’s orbit around Earth, the angle of sunlight hitting the lunar surface and being reflected back to our planet changes. That creates different lunar phases.
We’ll update this article multiple times each week with the latest moonrise, moonset, Full Moon schedule, and some of what you can see in the sky each week.
The Full Moon in May 2024 is the Flower Moon and that will happen at 9:53 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 23.
Here’s the complete list of Full Moons this year and their traditional names.
2024 Full Moon schedule and names of each
(all times Eastern)
- Jan. 25 — 12:54 p.m. — Wolf Moon
- Feb. 24 —7:30 a.m. — Snow Moon
- March 25 — 3 a.m. — Worm Moon
- April 23 — 7:49 p.m. — Pink Moon
- Full Moon on May 23 — 9:53 a.m. — Flower Moon 🌷
- June 21 — 9:08 p.m. — Strawberry Moon
- July 21 — 6:17 a.m. — Buck Moon
- Aug. 19 — 2:26 p.m. — Sturgeon Moon
- Sept. 17 — 10:34 p.m. — Corn Moon
- Oct. 17 — 7:26 a.m. — Hunter’s Moon
- Nov. 15 — 4:28 p.m. — Beaver Moon
- Dec. 15 — 4:02 a.m. —Cold Moon
The phases of the Moon in May 2024
The images below show the day-by-day phases of the Moon this month. The Full Moon in May is at 9:53 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 23, and is called the Flower Moon.
The moonrise and moonset schedule this week
The following is adapted from Alison Klesman’s The Sky This Week article, which you can find here.
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.
Saturday, May 18
Sunrise: 5:42 A.M.
Sunset: 8:12 P.M.
Moonrise: 3:37 P.M.
Moonset: 3:18 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (79%)
Sunday, May 19
Sunrise: 5:41 A.M.
Sunset: 8:13 P.M.
Moonrise: 4:36 P.M.
Moonset: 3:37 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (86%)
Monday, May 20
Sunrise: 5:40 A.M.
Sunset: 8:13 P.M.
Moonrise: 5:38 P.M.
Moonset: 3:57 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (92%)
Tuesday, May 21
Sunrise: 5:40 A.M.
Sunset: 8:14 P.M.
Moonrise: 6:42 P.M.
Moonset: 4:19 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (96%)
Wednesday, May 22
Sunrise: 5:39 A.M.
Sunset: 8:15 P.M.
Moonrise: 7:49 P.M.
Moonset: 4:45 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (99%)
Thursday, May 23
Full Moon occurs this morning 9:53 A.M. EDT. May’s Full Moon is also called the Flower Moon, and you’ll want to catch it later this evening when our satellite passes just 0.4° north of the brilliant red giant Antares at 11 P.M. EDT. The event is readily visible in the eastern half of the U.S., though those farther west may have to wait an hour or two for the pair to rise high enough in the sky for viewing.
If the Moon is above your horizon by 11 P.M. EDT, look southwest to spot it just below Antares, Scorpius’ 1st-magnitude alpha star. Plus, there’s a bonus — a second occultation for portions of the U.S. this week. Observers in the southeastern region of the country will now see the Moon occult Antares, passing in front of the star between about 9 P.M. and 10 P.M. EDT — again, check IOTA’s webpage for the event to see if your location falls within the viewing area and find out when you will see the star disappear and reappear.
Antares is a red giant in the later stages of its life — although it has swelled in size, its temperature has dropped, which is what gives the star its reddish hue. It’s so bright and so red that it is often mistaken for our own Red Planet, Mars. If you want to compare the two, you’ll need to wait several hours, until about 4:15 A.M. local daylight time tomorrow morning — that’s when Mars will rise more than 5° above the eastern horizon and you can see whether you think its brightness and hue match that of Antares, now in the southwest and well clear of the Moon!
Sunrise: 5:38 A.M.
Sunset: 8:16 P.M.
Moonrise: 8:57 P.M.
Moonset: 5:18 A.M.
Moon Phase: Full
Friday, May 24
Sunrise: 5:37 A.M.
Sunset: 8:17 P.M.
Moonrise: 10:03 P.M.
Moonset: 5:58 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (98%)
The phases of the Moon
The phases of the Moon are: New Moon, waxing crescent, First Quarter, waxing gibbous, Full Moon, waning gibbous, Last Quarter, and waning crescent. A cycle starting from one Full Moon to its next counterpart, termed the synodic month or lunar month, lasts about 29.5 days.
Though a Full Moon only occurs during the exact moment when Earth, Moon, and Sun form a perfect alignment, to our eyes, the Moon seems Full for around three days.
Different names for different types of Full Moon
There are a wide variety of specialized names used to identify distinct types or timings of Full Moons. These names primarily trace back to a blend of cultural, agricultural, and natural observations about the Moon, aimed at allowing humans to not only predict seasonal changes, but also track the passage of time.
For instance, almost every month’s Full Moon boasts a name sourced from Native American, Colonial American, or other North American traditions, with their titles mirroring seasonal shifts and nature’s events.
Wolf Moon (January): Inspired by the cries of hungry wolves.
Snow Moon (February): A nod to the month’s often heavy snowfall.
Worm Moon (March): Named after the earthworms that signal thawing grounds.
Pink Moon (April): In honor of the blossoming pink wildflowers.
Flower Moon (May): Celebrating the bloom of flowers.
Strawberry Moon (June): Marks the prime strawberry harvest season.
Buck Moon (July): Recognizing the new antlers on bucks.
Sturgeon Moon (August): Named after the abundant sturgeon fish.
Corn Moon (September): Signifying the corn harvesting period.
Hunter’s Moon (October): Commemorating the hunting season preceding winter.
Beaver Moon (November): Reflects the time when beavers are busy building their winter dams.
Cold Moon (December): Evocative of winter’s chill.
In addition, there are a few additional names for Full Moons that commonly make their way into public conversations and news.
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Super Moon: This term is reserved for a Full Moon that aligns with the lunar perigee, which is the Moon’s nearest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity renders the Full Moon unusually large and luminous. For a Full Moon to earn the Super Moon tag, it should be within approximately 90 percent of its closest distance to Earth.
Blue Moon: A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a month that experiences two Full Moons. This phenomenon graces our skies roughly every 2.7 years. Though the term suggests a color, Blue Moons aren’t truly blue. Very occasionally, atmospheric conditions such as recent volcanic eruptions might lend the Moon a slightly blueish tint, but this hue isn’t tied to the term.
Harvest Moon: Occurring closest to the autumnal equinox, typically in September, the Harvest Moon is often renowned for a distinct orange tint it might display. This Full Moon rises close to sunset and sets near sunrise, providing extended hours of bright moonlight. Historically, this was invaluable to farmers gathering their produce.
Common questions about Full Moons
What is the difference between a Full Moon and a New Moon? A Full Moon is witnessed when Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, making the entire Moon’s face visible. Conversely, during a New Moon, the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun, shrouding its Earth-facing side in darkness.
How does the Full Moon influence tides? The Moon’s gravitational tug causes Earth’s waters to bulge, birthing tides. During both Full and New Moons, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in alignment, generating “spring tides.” These tides can swing exceptionally high or low due to the combined gravitational influences of the Sun and Moon.
Do Full Moons have an impact on human behavior? While numerous tales suggest Full Moons stir human behavior, causing increased restlessness or even lunacy, rigorous scientific analyses have largely debunked these tales.
Full Moons, in their myriad forms, stand testament to humanity’s enduring captivation with the cosmos. They evoke not just our celestial connection but also tether us to Earth’s rhythms. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or an occasional night sky admirer, Full Moons invariably call for our attention, inviting both introspection and marvel.
Here are the dates for all the lunar phases in 2024:
| New | First Quarter | Full | Last Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 3 | |||
| Jan. 11 | Jan. 17 | Jan. 25 | Feb. 2 |
| Feb. 9 | Feb. 16 | Feb. 24 | March 3 |
| March 10 | March 17 | March 25 | April 1 |
| April 8 | April 15 | April 23 | May 1 |
| May 7 | May 15 | May 23 | May 30 |
| June 6 | June 14 | June 21 | June 28 |
| July 5 | July 13 | July 21 | July 27 |
| Aug. 4 | Aug. 12 | Aug. 19 | Aug 26 |
| Sept. 2 | Sept. 11 | Sept. 17 | Sept. 24 |
| Oct. 2 | Oct. 10 | Oct. 17 | Oct. 24 |
| Nov. 1 | Nov. 9 | Nov. 15 | Nov. 22 |
| Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 |
| Dec. 30 |
