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 🎀
- 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 11
If you’re looking for a gorgeous naked-eye sight, you’re in luck: A beautiful waxing crescent Moon lies above the scene, located within Gemini the Twins. Luna hangs just below that constellation’s alpha star, magnitude 1.6 Castor. Can you see any earthshine illuminating the Moon’s still-darkened western regions? This phenomenon occurs when sunlight bounces off the daytime hemisphere of Earth and onto the Moon, including the portions of our satellite that sit in shadow.
Sunrise: 5:48 A.M.
Sunset: 8:05 P.M.
Moonrise: 8:19 A.M.
Moonset: — P.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (16%)
Sunday, May 12
Let’s return to the Moon tonight, still hanging out in the west with Gemini an hour after sunset.
Now the Moon has moved past Castor and stands just left of Pollux, the Twins’ beta star. Our satellite is still waxing toward First Quarter and is nearly 30 percent lit as sunrise slowly breaks across its rugged surface from east to west. The Moon is rising later and later each day as well, so that by the time it reaches Full, it will rise (and set) directly opposite the Sun, appearing over the eastern horizon around sunset.
Use your telescope to home in on the southwest limb to look for the Rheita Valley, an elongated chain of overlapping craters just below the crater Rheita, which is relatively easy to pick out to the valley’s northeast with its conspicuous central peak.
The valley itself is a walk backward through time, as each crater was formed by successive impacts that wiped out a portion of the one that came before it. They are associated with the larger overall impact that formed Mare Nectaris, the large, dark, lava-filled impact basin to their north. If you’re able to come back and observe this region later in the month, say on the 24th and 25th, you’ll see it in reversed lighting as the Sun sets in the lunar west. This lighting can help point the eye back toward Mare Nectaris for a clearer picture of the association between it and the valley’s formation.
Sunrise: 5:47 A.M.
Sunset: 8:06 P.M.
Moonrise: 9:22 A.M.
Moonset: 12:27 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (24%)
Monday, May 13
Sunrise: 5:46 A.M.
Sunset: 8:07 P.M.
Moonrise: 10:28 A.M.
Moonset: 1:11 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (33%)
Tuesday, May 14
Sunrise: 5:45 A.M.
Sunset: 8:08 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:33 A.M.
Moonset: 1:46 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (43%)
Wednesday, May 15
First Quarter Moon occurs at 7:48 A.M. EDT. By the time evening rolls around, you can catch the Moon still riding high in the southwest with Leo, sitting near the Lion’s bright alpha star, magnitude 1.4 Regulus.
Sunrise: 5:44 A.M.
Sunset: 8:09 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:36 P.M.
Moonset: 2:14 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (52%)
Thursday, May 16
The Moon passes 1.1° north of asteroid 3 Juno at 9 A.M. EDT. By evening, the two are 6° apart, with Juno now west of our satellite. Even farther west of the Moon now is Regulus and the Sickle asterism it anchors. The Sickle is often likened to a backwards question mark and outlines the regal head of Leo in the sky.
Back to Juno: The third asteroid ever discovered glows faintly at 10th magnitude from a distance of some 231 million miles (372 million kilometers) from Earth. You can use the star Rho (ρ) Leonis to help you find it with binoculars or a small telescope — Juno sits just 2.5° northeast of this 4th-magnitude star.
Juno is one of the largest and most massive asteroids in the main belt, containing roughly 1 percent of all the mass in the belt. The largest body in the main belt, dwarf planet 1 Ceres, stands stationary in the constellation Sagittarius tonight at 7 P.M. EDT. It’s not visible above the horizon at this time, however, so we’ll catch up with it and the Archer early next week.
Sunrise: 5:44 A.M.
Sunset: 8:10 P.M.
Moonrise: 1:38 P.M.
Moonset: 2:37 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (71%)
Friday, May 17
The Moon reaches apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its orbit, at 2:59 P.M. EDT. At that time, our satellite will be 251,432 miles (404,641 km) away.
By evening, Luna has moved from Leo into Virgo. After sunset, it sits close to the Maiden’s magnitude 3.6 beta star, Zavijava. And for observers in much of the U.S. and Canada, the Moon will slide in front of Zavijava in an occultation.
The timing and duration of the event depend heavily on your location. Those in Albany, New York, for example, will see Zavijava disappear at 1:29 A.M. EDT early on May 18 and reappear just over an hour later, at 2:33 A.M. EDT on the 18th. From Denver, Colorado, Zavijava disappears at 11:16 P.M. MDT on the 17th, reappearing again about an hour later, at 12:17 A.M. MDT on the 18th. And from Las Vegas, Nevada, the star only briefly disappears behind our Moon, starting at 10:36 P.M. PDT on the 17th and ending 14 minutes later, at 10:50 P.M. PDT.
You can get a map of all locations where the occultation will be visible, as well as the times (in Universal Time) of select cities, on the International Occultation Timing Association’s webpage for the event.
Sunrise: 5:43 A.M.
Sunset: 8:11 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:37 P.M.
Moonset: 2:58 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (79%)
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 |
