Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
On Friday, 1 May, the night sky will be illuminated by May’s full Moon, commonly referred to as the Flower Moon. This lunar event reaches its peak fullness at 18:23. The name “Flower Moon” derives from the abundance of blooming flowers during May, marking a vibrant stage of spring.
This particular full Moon is classified as a micromoon, meaning it appears slightly smaller than a typical full Moon. The reason behind this lies in the Moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth. When it reaches apogee, the farthest point from our planet, the Moon appears smaller in the sky. This year’s Flower Moon will be about 406,000 kilometers (252,000 miles) away from Earth. The size difference between the Moon’s farthest (apogee) and nearest (perigee) points is roughly 43,000 kilometers (26,000 miles), but this subtle difference is mostly noticeable only in photographs rather than to the naked eye. Consequently, a micromoon looks a bit smaller and can be a little less bright than an average full Moon.
Regarding the weather outlook for viewing the Flower Moon, changes are expected in the UK. A high-pressure system, which has brought clear skies and sunshine, is moving away toward the continent. As the atmospheric pressure drops, cloud cover will increase with a chance of showers arriving from the west. Still, clearer conditions may develop later on Friday evening in areas such as Wales, the Midlands, and southern England, offering opportunities to catch a glimpse of the Moon through breaks in the clouds. Even a brief sighting of the Flower Moon amid clouds promises an impressive spectacle.
If you are unable to observe the Flower Moon on 1 May, there will be a second rare full Moon later in the month, known as a Blue Moon. This phenomenon occurs due to the lunar cycle of approximately 29.5 days, sometimes resulting in 13 full Moons within a calendar year every two to three years. In 2026, the extra full Moon will occur on 31 May, inspiring the phrase “once in a Blue Moon” because of its uncommon occurrence
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.