The May 2025 full moon, also called the “flower moon,” officially occurs on Monday, May 12, giving skywatchers who are now enjoying milder conditions a chance to see a micromoon.
Micromoons look a bit smaller and dimmer than usual. They occur when a full moon coincides with the point in its orbit when it’s farthest from Earth, known as apogee. As a result, the micromoon will appear about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than usual.
Even so, May’s moon will appear full to our eyes starting Sunday night May 11 through early Tuesday, May 13.
When is the full moon?
The full flower moon will reach peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. on May 12, 2025, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The moon will also appear bright and full on Sunday (May 11) and Tuesday (May 13).
To catch a glimpse, find a location with unobstructed views of the horizon.
Why is it called the flower moon?
During spring, flowers start to bloom across North America, inspiring the name of May’s full moon, according to the almanac.
The almanac said full moon names “come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources.” The “flower moon” name has been attributed to the Algonquin people.
When is the full moon in June 2025?
The next full moon will be the strawberry moon, which appears on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
What are the full moon dates for 2025?
Here are the rest of the full moons for 2025:
- June 11: Strawberry Moon
- July 10: Buck Moon
- Aug. 9: Sturgeon Moon
- Sept. 7: Harvest Moon
- Oct. 6: Hunter’s Moon
- Nov. 5: Beaver Moon
- Dec. 4: Cold Moon
Contributing: Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK; Emily Barnes, New York Connect Team; Tiffany Acosta, Arizona Republic
