Flower Moon

May's full moon is known as the Flower Moon signifying the wildflowers that bloom in May.  This includes wild iris, sundrops, marsh marigold, violets and more that are found around here.  

The month of May also marked a period of increased fertility and the warming days that made it safer to bear young.  For that reason it is sometimes called the Mother’s Moon.  Other names include the Corn Planting Moon and Milk Moon.         

It is also the fourth supermoon of the year.  Tonight’s Flower Moon will reach its peak tomorrow morning – May 7 at 5:45 AM CST.   A supermoon is a new or full moon closely coinciding with perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit.  This is a full moon that is bigger, brighter and more impressive than your garden-variety full moon.       

Such as this comparison:           

JPL-NASA Image

On occasion astronomers will grumble about the term - supermoon.  They tend to think this is overdone.  Nevertheless, supermoons are special and this year has, and will, bring us supermoons March 9, April 7-8 and May 7, September 17, October 16 and November 15.   

Yowza!        

For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, a low-hanging moon looks incredibly large when hovering near trees, buildings and other foreground objects.  

The fact that the moon will be much closer than usual this weekend will only serve to amplify this strange effect.  

 Fingers-crossed for clear viewing conditions this evening as you’ll not want to miss it.