May’s full moon: When to see the Flower Moon in Illinois
The timing of the full moon each month is usually of interest to skywatchers.
But the full moon in May is something special, if the host of poetic nicknames for it are any indication. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, it is commonly called the Flower Moon because May is when an abundance of flowers bloom across the United States. The name is attributed to Algonquianspeaking Native Americans.
When is the full moon in May 2024?
The Flower Moon will be visible in Illinois on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The moon's phases in May are:
● Last Quarter: May 1.
● New Moon: May 8.
● First Quarter: May 15.
● Full Moon: May 23.
● Last Quarter: May 30.
When will we see the Flower Moon over Illinois?
The Farmer's Almanac predicted that the first full moon of May will rise over the greater Peoria area Thursday at about 7:49 p.m., cross the median at approximately 12:35 a.m., and set at 5:14 a.m. Friday.
The Flower Moon will bloom the brightest at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, but it will not be visible then because it is below the central Illinois horizon. The Almanac says the best time to view the moon is either Wednesday night or later Thursday when it rises here for the first time. The moon is best viewed with unobstructed views of the horizon.
What other nicknames does this full moon have?
The Algonquian-speaking Cree who live north and west of Lake Superior marked the coming of spring by using terms for the May full moon that were similar, if not identical to Flower Moon, according to the Farmer's Almanac. To celebrate the awakening of local flora, the Cree called the event the Budding Moon or the Leaf Budding Moon, while they heralded the increase in animal activity with such names as the Egg Laying Moon and the Frog Moon. The Sioux-speaking Dakota and Lakota named it the Planting Moon as a practical reminder to prepare for the farming season ahead, and the Sioux-speaking Oglala noted the effect of the coming warm weather on their horse culture by calling it the Moon of Shedding Ponies.
The website timeanddate.com provided a few non-Native American monikers for the first full moon in May that include the Anglo-Saxon Milk Moon; and the Celtic and Old English terms Mothers' Moon, Bright Moon, Hare Moon and Grass Moon.
When is the next full moon of 2024?
The Strawberry Moon is scheduled to appear Saturday, June 22, 2024, according to the Indianapolis Star.