Stargazers across the UK are in for a treat tonight as May's full Moon, known as the Flower Moon, lights up the skies. This celestial event coincides with a micromoon, when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth, offering a slightly smaller but still brilliant lunar display.
The Flower Moon reaches its peak at 5:56 PM BST on Monday, May 12, according to Time and Date. However, the Moon will appear full throughout the weekend and in the days before and after peak illumination. The micromoon, located beneath the constellation Libra in the southern sky, will not rise very high, so observers are advised to find a clear horizon free of tall buildings.
A micromoon occurs when the Moon is at its apogee, the farthest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth. At this moment, the Moon will be approximately 405,278 kilometers (251,828 miles) away. This is the opposite of a supermoon, which happens when the Moon is at its perigee, or closest approach. The next supermoon is not expected until November, during the Hunter's Moon.
May's full Moon gets its name from the abundant blooming of spring flowers, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Other traditional names include the hare moon, corn planting moon, and milk moon. This event follows a series of spectacular cosmic events earlier in 2025, including a planetary alignment in February, a partial lunar eclipse in March, and a rare partial solar eclipse later that month.
For the best view of the Flower Moon, find a location with a clear southern horizon and minimal light pollution. The Moon will travel across the southern sky before setting in the southwest around dawn.
