Although the full flower moon in May looks small and dim, this micromoon still promises a spectacular show in the night sky. Credit: Komkrit Jeamkry, Shutterstock
It doesn’t brighten the sky like spotlights, but this May month is something to watch out for.
Something a little different is happening there. On Monday, May 12th, we will be treated to a full moon doing things a little more subtle. It is known as Flower Moon, and this time it is also a Micro Moon. This means that it may be farther from the Earth than usual and may look a little smaller and dimier than you’re used to.
So, what exactly is a micromone?
We’ve all heard of Supermorn – the sky is something huge and looks very bright. Well, Micromorne is basically the opposite. On May 12th, the moon will become Apogee, the farthest point in orbit from Earth, more than 405,000 km away. So it looks like a dimmer of up to 30%, about 14% smaller than a typical full moon.
But don’t worry, it’s not something you need a telescope. You will still notice the glow, especially if you are in a place where there is little light contamination. It rises east around sunset, staying with us all night, soaking under the western horizon at sunrise. Even if you miss the peak on Monday, you’ll still get a decent view on Sunday and Tuesday, May 13th.
What makes it the flower moon and why is it important?
No, the moon doesn’t appear to be in bloom, but it has a name that reflects what’s happening on Earth. Flower Moon is the traditional name for the full moon in May. Because it comes in the season when flowers are really beginning to be shown. It is the second full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the fifth of the year.
The name goes back. Indigenous communities in North America (and others) gave each full moon a name tied to what is happening in nature, whether it was snow, harvest, or in this case flowers. Flower Moon is a lovely reminder that we are heading for longer, warmer days. And summer isn’t too far.
May 2025 Moon Phase – After the full moon
If you like to follow the rhythm of the moon, here are some important dates in the calendar.
- First quarter: May 4th
- Full Moon (Flower Micromorne): May 12th
- Previous quarter: May 20th
- New Moon: May 27th
And will you come after that? Strawberry Moon will rise on Wednesday, June 11th. It is the last full moon of spring, and another good reason to glimpse into the sky.
So if the weather clears up this weekend or early next week, I’ll go outside and look up. The month in May is a bit small and the touch may not be dramatic, but there is something peaceful about it. It’s not flashy. It’s just quietly doing that — and maybe that’s exactly what we need right now.
