May began with a subtle celestial event: the Flower Moon. This full moon, appearing in skies around the globe, arrived accompanied by a fascinating quirk of lunar mechanics – it was a micromoon.
A micromoon isn’t about brightness, but about perspective. It occurs when the moon reaches its farthest point from Earth in its orbit, making it appear slightly smaller than usual. This contrasts sharply with the dramatic supermoons, when the lunar orb swells in our sky, seeming close enough to touch.
The Flower Moon of May 1st reached this maximum distance, known as apogee. While not as visually striking as a supermoon, the micromoon offered a unique opportunity to appreciate the subtle dance between Earth and its constant companion.
Visibility peaked around 6:23 pm on Friday, with the moon initially appearing low on the horizon. As the evening progressed, it climbed higher, eventually setting around dawn on Saturday.
For those hoping to witness the event, the weather presented a challenge. Sunshine was predicted for much of the UK, but scattered showers and thunderstorms threatened to obscure the view with cloud cover. Despite this, the early peak time offered a chance for observation.
Even if clouds intervened, the lunar calendar isn’t empty. The next full moon, a Blue Moon, is slated to grace the skies on May 31st, peaking in the morning hours.
Beyond the Blue Moon, a series of spectacular full moons are scheduled throughout the year. The Strawberry Moon will illuminate the end of June, followed by the Buck Moon in July, the Sturgeon Moon in August, and the Harvest Moon in September.
October brings the Hunter’s Moon, November the Beaver Moon, and December concludes the year with the evocative Cold Moon. Each offers a unique spectacle, a reminder of the constant, beautiful rhythm of the cosmos.
