The Flower Moon to Rise Over UK Skies on May 12: What You Need to Know
The full moon, also known as the "flower moon", is set to rise over British skies on May 12, but it will appear slightly smaller than usual, earning it the designation of a "micromoon". According to Yahoo News, the moon will appear full over most of the weekend, but will be at its best on Monday night.
A full moon occurs when the moon appears as a complete circle in the sky, lit up by the sun’s rays. Since the moon does not produce its own light, we only see the parts of it that are illuminated by other objects like the sun. This particular moon will appear smaller due to its increased distance from Earth. As Yahoo News reports, "the moon will appear smaller, as it’s further away".
When and Where to See the Flower Moon
The flower moon will rise over the UK at 9:28 pm BST on May 12, according to Sky at Night. The moon will rise in the southeast beneath the constellation Libra and will not rise very high in the sky, staying in the southern part of the sky and setting in the southwest before dawn. Yahoo News notes that "the moon will not rise very high in the sky, and will stay in the southern part of the sky, setting in the southwest before dawn".
A micromoon, like the one occurring on May 12, is a relatively rare event. It is caused by the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth, which means that the moon is sometimes closer to our planet and sometimes further away. When a full moon occurs when the moon is at its furthest point from Earth, it appears smaller, earning it the designation of a micromoon.
The Origin of the Term "Flower Moon"
The names we use for full moons today, such as the "cold moon", "wolf moon", and "harvest moon", come to us indirectly from Native American traditions. As Yahoo News cites NASA’s Gordon Johnston, "in the 1930s, the Maine Farmer’s Almanac began publishing Indian names for the full moons, tying these names to the European months". The flower moon is named as such because it coincides with a time of year when flowers are abundant. It is also known as the "corn-planting moon" or "milk moon", according to NASA.
What is a Micromoon?
A micromoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is at its furthest point from Earth, making it appear slightly smaller than usual. This is in contrast to a supermoon, which occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, making it appear larger. Both supermoons and micromoons are caused by the moon’s elliptical orbit around our planet.
In conclusion, the flower moon will rise over UK skies on May 12, offering a rare opportunity to witness a micromoon. According to Yahoo News, the best time to see the moon will be on Monday night, when it will appear full and slightly smaller than usual. With its unique designation as a micromoon, this event is sure to captivate stargazers and astronomers alike.
As Yahoo News reports, this event is a great opportunity to learn more about the moon and its phases. By understanding the science behind the micromoon, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of our celestial neighbour.
