The skies over London are set to be illuminated tonight by the first of two full moons occurring in May. Known as the 'Flower Moon', this lunar event will grace the evening sky, offering Londoners a chance to witness a celestial spectacle. The name derives from the time of year when flowers begin to bloom in earnest, marking the full arrival of spring.
What is the Flower Moon?
The Flower Moon is the traditional name for the full moon in May, signifying the flourishing of flora. However, this particular full moon is also a 'micromoon', meaning it will appear slightly smaller in the sky than usual. This phenomenon occurs because the moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, not circular. When the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, known as 'apogee', it appears smaller. According to the BBC, tonight's moon will be close to its maximum distance from our planet.
When and Where to See It
The Flower Moon is expected to reach peak illumination at around 6:23 pm, while the sky is still bright. To spot it, you may need to look near the horizon. Weather forecasts indicate a chance of cloud cover this evening, but there is still hope for clear views across London. The moon will rise in the east and be visible throughout the night, weather permitting.
Next Full Moon: Blue Moon
The next full moon will occur on May 31, and it will be a 'Blue Moon'. Contrary to its name, the moon will not appear blue; the term refers to the rare frequency of a second full moon in a single month, which happens only once every two to three years. The Royal Observatory Greenwich explains that the lunar cycle lasts 29.5 days, totaling 354 days for 12 cycles—shorter than a calendar year. This discrepancy leads to a 13th full moon roughly every two and a half years, which is called a Blue Moon.
The origin of the term 'Blue Moon' is uncertain. It may derive from the old English word 'belewe', meaning 'to betray', possibly referring to the betrayal of the usual expectation of one full moon per month, or the moon's role in determining the date of Lent.
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