Blooming Beauty: The Flower Moon Illuminates the Night Sky in May

The full moon in May, known as the Flower Moon, is set to grace the night sky with its brilliant light at the end of the month. This celestial event, symbolizing the blossoming of flowers across North America, is a spectacle eagerly anticipated by sky watchers.

Native American tribes have various names for the May full moon, including the Budding Moon, Frog Moon, and the Moon of Shedding Ponies. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the Flower Moon is scheduled to bloom on Thursday, May 23, 2024, offering a stunning visual treat to those who gaze upwards.

On the night of the Flower Moon, moonrise in the Lansing area is expected around 8:35 p.m. on May 23, with the moon crossing the meridian at 1:14 a.m. before setting at 5:46 a.m. the next day. The moon’s captivating presence in the sky is a reminder of nature’s beauty and the cyclical patterns that govern our world.

During a lunar eclipse, the moon may appear to take on hues of orange or red due to how sunlight interacts with Earth‘s atmosphere. The scattering of sunlight, as it traverses through Earth’s skies before reaching the moon, is responsible for the mesmerizing color display witnessed during certain lunar events.

The upcoming Strawberry Moon is anticipated to illuminate the night sky on Saturday, June 22, 2024, offering another opportunity for sky watchers to appreciate the celestial wonders above. The magic of the moon’s phases continues to captivate and inspire observers across the globe.

Contributions to this article were made by John Tufts, a correspondent from the Indianapolis Star, adding valuable insights to the celestial phenomena that unfold above us.