Full Flower Moon to Shine in Night Sky This May

NEW YORK CITY, NY – The full moon, popularly known as the Flower Moon, will illuminate the night sky on May 12, 2025. This full moon is special as it is categorized as a micromoon, appearing smaller than average due to its distance from Earth.

The Flower Moon peaks at 12:56 p.m. EDT but will appear full the night before and after, allowing stargazers multiple opportunities to admire its beauty. The moon will rise in the southeast shortly after sunset and will reach its highest point around midnight.

This year’s Flower Moon is the third micromoon in a series, with the moon reaching a distance of 251,939 miles from Earth, compared to its average distance of 238,855 miles. Different cultures reference this lunar event with various names. For instance, some Native American tribes call it the mulberry moon, while others refer to it as the frog moon or blossom moon.

The upcoming lunar event is not just a chance to observe the Flower Moon; several other astronomical events await in 2025. A total lunar eclipse, visible from parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, will occur on September 7 and 8, where the moon will take on a reddish hue, gaining the nickname “blood moon.”

Additionally, a partial solar eclipse will be visible on September 21, affecting areas in Australia and Antarctica.

As the Flower Moon rises, viewers across North America will want to find open spaces with clear views of the horizons. The moon will look especially enchanting as it rises low in the sky in the hours after sunset.

Skywatchers looking for the full moon should not miss this opportunity, as it marks the final micromoon of the year. Following this event, several more full moons will grace the skies through the remaining months, including supermoons in the fall. The next full moon is the Strawberry Moon, set for June 11, 2025.