When is May’s full moon? What to know about the Flower Moon

It’s quite fitting that May’s full moon is called the Flower Moon because as the old saying goes: April showers bring May flowers.

This month’s moon, which is also a micromoon, will rise in the night sky in mid-May amid a few other celestial events.

Here’s what to know about May’s full moon.

When will we see the Flower Moon?

The full Flower Moon will make its appearance on Monday, May 12 and will reach peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. EDT, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What is a micromoon?

Many people are familiar with the term “supermoon,” but a micromoon is the opposite. It occurs when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, but it won’t look any smaller, according to Time and Date.

Why is it called the Flower Moon?

May’s full moon is called the Flower Moon as it’s a reflection of flowers blooming across large swaths of North America, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What else is May’s full moon called?

The Flower Moon is also known as the Budding Moon, Frog Moon, and the Moon of Shedding Ponies.

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When will the Flower Moon rise in the Rochester area?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, moonrise for the Rochester area will happen by roughly 8:54 p.m. Monday, May 12 and will set at 5:23 a.m. Tuesday, May 13.

When will the Flower Moon rise in the Westchester area?

Moonrise for the White Plains area will happen by roughly 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 12 and will set at 5:13 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, the Old Farmer’s Almanac says.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon is the Strawberry Moon, which occurs on June 11. Moonrise in the Rochester area is roughly 9:50 p.m. and around 9:24 p.m. in the Westchester area.

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What other celestial events are happening in May?

A few additional celestial events are taking place this month. Here’s when you should take a look at the night sky to try and catch a glimpse:

• New Yorkers, specifically, will have a good chance of seeing the first quarter moon’s close approach with Mars around May 3-4. Look for the half moon just after sunset to see a reddish planet nearby, Time and Date says.

• The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak May 5-6, according to NASA, which can bring fast meteors and up to 50 per hour during the peak.

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Flower Moon: Date, timing and what to know about the micromoon