Full moon may?

The next full moon will be on Friday, May 5, at 1:34 p.m. EDT (1734 GMT), but the moon will still appear full the night before and after its peak to the casual stargazer.

The May full moon is known as the Flower Moon, the term comes from the blooms that appear in North America around that time; Algonquin-speaking peoples in the northeastern part of the continent such as the Ojibwe (or Anishinaabe), called it something similar (Waawaaskone Giizis, which means "flower moon" according to the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition (opens in new tab).)

If you missed the April full moon, you can see some stunning photos of the Pink Moon in our image roundup story.

The full moon shows its face to Earth about once a month. Well, sort of.

Most of the time, the full moon isn't perfectly full. We always see the same side of the moon, but part of it is in shadow, due to the moon's rotation. Only when the moon, Earth and the sun are perfectly aligned is the moon 100% full, and that alignment produces a lunar eclipse.

And sometimes — once in a blue moon — the moon is full twice in a month (or four times in a season, depending on which definition you prefer).  You can prepare for the next full moon or eclipse with our guide on how to photograph a lunar eclipse, as well as how to photograph the moon with a camera in general, can help you make the most of the event. If you need imaging gear, consider our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography to make sure you're ready for the next eclipse.

If you're looking for binoculars or a telescope to observe the moon, check out our guides for the best binoculars and best telescopes.

Related: Night sky: What you can see (opens in new tab)

This is when full moons will occur in 2023, according to NASA:

Many cultures have given distinct names to each month's full moon. The names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. The Farmer's Almanac (opens in new tab) lists several names that are commonly used in the United States. There are some variations in the moon names, but in general, the same ones were used among the Algonquin tribes from New England on west to Lake Superior. European settlers followed their own customs and created some of their own names.

Other Native American people had different names. In the book "This Day in North American Indian History (opens in new tab)" (Da Capo Press, 2002), author Phil Konstantin lists more than 50 native peoples and their names for full moons. He also lists them on his website, AmericanIndian.net (opens in new tab).

Amateur astronomer Keith Cooley has a brief list of the moon names of other cultures (opens in new tab), including Chinese and Celtic, on his website.

Full moon names often correspond to seasonal markers, so a Harvest Moon occurs at the end of the growing season, in September or October, and the Cold Moon occurs in frosty December. At least, that's how it works in the Northern Hemisphere.

In the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are switched, the Harvest Moon occurs in March and the Cold Moon is in June. According to Earthsky.org (opens in new tab), these are common names for full moons south of the equator.

January: Hay Moon, Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, Mead Moon February (mid-summer): Grain Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Red Moon, Wyrt Moon, Corn Moon, Dog Moon, Barley Moon March: Harvest Moon, Corn Moon April: Harvest Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon May: Hunter’s Moon, Beaver Moon, Frost Moon June: Oak Moon, Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon July: Wolf Moon, Old Moon, Ice Moon August: Snow Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, Wolf Moon September: Worm Moon, Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Sugar Moon, Chaste Moon, Sap Moon October: Egg Moon, Fish Moon, Seed Moon, Pink Moon, Waking Moon November: Corn Moon, Milk Moon, Flower Moon, Hare Moon December: Strawberry Moon, Honey Moon, Rose Moon

The moon is a sphere that travels once around Earth every 27.3 days. It also takes about 27 days for the moon to rotate on its axis. So, the moon always shows us the same face; there is no single "dark side" of the moon. As the moon revolves around Earth, it is illuminated from varying angles by the sun — what we see when we look at the moon is reflected sunlight. On average, the moon rises about 50 minutes later each day, which means sometimes it rises during daylight and other times at night.

There are four phases of the moon, new moon, first quarter moon, full moon and third quarter moon.

At new moon, the moon is between Earth and the sun, so that the side of the moon facing toward us receives no direct sunlight, and is lit only by dim sunlight reflected from Earth.

A few days later, as the moon moves around Earth, the side we can see gradually becomes more illuminated by direct sunlight. This thin sliver is called the waxing crescent.

A week after the new moon, the moon is 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky and is half-illuminated from our point of view — what we call first quarter because it is about a quarter of the way around Earth.

A few days later, the area of illumination continues to increase. More than half of the moon's face appears to be getting sunlight. This phase is called a waxing gibbous moon.

When the moon has moved 180 degrees from its new moon position, the sun, Earth and the moon form a line. The moon’s disk is as close as it can be to being fully illuminated by the sun, so this is called full moon.

Next, the moon moves until more than half of its face appears to be getting sunlight, but the amount is decreasing. This is the waning gibbous phase.

Days later, the moon has moved another quarter of the way around Earth, to the third quarter position. The sun's light is now shining on the other half of the visible face of the moon.

Next, the moon moves into the waning crescent phase as less than half of its face appears to be getting sunlight, and the amount is decreasing.

Finally, the moon moves back to its new moon starting position. Because the moon’s orbit is not exactly in the same plane as Earth’s orbit around the sun, they rarely are perfectly aligned. Usually the moon passes above or below the sun from our vantage point, but occasionally it passes right in front of the sun, and we get an eclipse of the sun.

Each full moon is calculated to occur at an exact moment, which may or may not be near the time the moon rises where you are. So when a full moon rises, it’s typically doing so some hours before or after the actual time when it’s technically full, but a casual skywatcher won’t notice the difference. In fact, the moon will often look roughly the same on two consecutive nights surrounding the full moon.

Lunar eclipses are inextricably tied to the full moon. To find out where and when you can see the next lunar eclipse check out our lunar eclipse guide.

When the moon is in its full phase, it is passing behind the Earth with respect the sun and can pass through Earth's shadow, creating a lunar eclipse. When the moon is fully inside the Earth's shadow, we see a total lunar eclipse. At other times, the moon only partially passes through the Earth's shadow in what is known as a partial, or even penumbral lunar eclipse (when the moon only skirts through the outermost region of Earth's shadow).

In 2023, there are two lunar eclipses: A penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5 and a partial lunar eclipse on Oct. 28.

The penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5 will be a very slight lunar eclipse in which the moon passes through the outermost edge of the Earth's shadow. It should be visible from South/East Europe, Much of Asia, Australia, Africa, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Antarctica. The eclipse should begin at 10:11 a.m. EST (1511 GMT), the maximum eclipse will be reached at 12:22 p.m. EST (1722 GMT) and the penumbral eclipse will end at 2:31 p.m. EST (1931 GMT), according to TimeandDate.com (opens in new tab). The overall duration of the eclipse is 4 hours and 18 minutes.

The partial lunar eclipse on Oct. 18 will be visible  over Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, North/East South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic and Antarctica. It will begin at 2:35 p.m. (1935 GMT), the maximum eclipse occurs at 15:14 p.m. EST (2014 GMT) and the partial eclipse will end at 3:52 p.m. EST (2052 GMT).  It will last 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Because the moon's orbit around the Earth is tilted, it does not line up with Earth's shadow every month and we do not have a lunar eclipse each month.

When the moon is in its "new" phase, it passes between the Earth and the sun, so the side facing the Earth appears dark.  To find out when and where you can see the next solar eclipse, check out our solar eclipse guide.

Occasionally, the moon's orbit lines up with the sun in such a way that part or all of the sun can be blocked by the moon, as viewed from Earth. When the moon completely blocks the sun's disk, we see a total solar eclipse during the day, which can be a truly awe-inspiring site. Other times, the moon can only partially block the sun in a partial solar eclipse.

The moon can even create a "ring of fire" solar eclipse when it passes directly in front of the sun, but is at a point in its orbit that is too far from Earth to fully cover the sun's disk. This leaves a ring, or "annulus," around the moon to create what is called an annular solar eclipse.

There are two solar eclipses in 2023: a hybrid solar eclipse on April 20 and an annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14.

The rare hybrid solar eclipse on April 20 will be both an annular "ring of fire" solar eclipse and transition into a total solar eclipse briefly over some parts of Earth. The annular effect will be visible for just a few seconds in the Indian and Pacific oceans and isn't visible anywhere on land. A total eclipse will only be visible in three locations on land, Exmouth, Western Australia, Timor Leste and West Papua.

The Full Moon has been integral to tracking the change of months and seasons since ancient times.

Although the most commonly used Full Moon names are English interpretations of Native American names, some are also Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, medieval English, and Neo-Pagan.

Many of the names come from the Colonial Americans adopting Native American names into their calendars, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

The January Full Moon is often called the Wolf Moon from the howling of hungry wolves in the winter. This name is thought to have a Celtic and Old English origin, and that European settlers brought it to North America.

Other Celtic names include Stay Home Moon and Quiet Moon. Moon After Yule is an Anglo-Saxon version, referring to the pre-Christian Yule (or Juul) celebrations around the winter solstice. Native American names are Severe Moon and Center Moon.

The Snow Moon in February is aptly named after abundant snowfall. Some North American tribes called it the Hungry Moon due to the scarce food sources during mid-winter, while others named it Bear Moon to refer to when bear cubs are born. Storm Moon, Ice Moon, and Snow Moon were common Celtic and Old English names.

The last Full Moon of the winter season in March is the Worm Moon because of the earthworms that come out when the soil warms up. Native American tribes called it the Crow Moon for the crows coming back, Snow Crust Moon, and Sap and Sugar Moon for when the maple sap runs.

The Anglo-Saxons called it Lenten Moon after the Germanic Lenten for spring. The Celts called it the Wind Moon and Plough Moon. In Old English, it was known as the Death Moon and the Chaste Moon referring to the purity of the spring season.

April has the Full Pink Moon, from the pink phlox wildflowers that bloom in North America in the early spring. The Native American names referred to the spring thaws and the return of growth, including Breaking Ice Moon and The Moon of the Red Grass Appearing.

Common names in Europe also referred to the budding and birth of spring: The Anglo-Saxons called it Egg Moon, the Celts had names like Budding Moon, New Shoots Moon, Seed Moon, and Growing Moon. A Neo-Pagan name is Awakening Moon.

The April Full Moon can also be the Paschal Moon, used to calculate the date for Easter.

The Full Flower Moon in May describes all the flowers blooming in spring.

Native Americans called it Budding Moon, Egg Laying Moon, and Planting Moon. The Anglo-Saxon name is Milk Moon, while the Celtic and Old English names are Mothers’ Moon, Bright Moon, Hare Moon, and Grass Moon.

June’s Full Moon is the Strawberry Moon as the little red berries ripen at this time and could be gathered by the Native American tribes. Other native names are Berries Ripen Moon, Green Corn Moon, and Hot Moon.

The Celtic names are Mead Moon, Horse Moon, Dyan Moon, and Rose Moon. Other English names are Flower Moon and Planting Moon.

In July, the Full Moon is called Buck Moon to signify the new antlers that emerge on deer buck’s foreheads around this time. Other Native American tribes call it Salmon Moon, Raspberry Moon, and Thunder Moon.

In Celtic, this Moon was known as the Claiming Moon, Wyrt Moon, Herb Moon, and Mead Moon. The Anglo-Saxons called it the Hay Moon.

August has the Full Sturgeon Moon because of the large numbers of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. The fish was essential for Native American tribes in the area.

The Celts called it Dispute Moon and Lynx Moon, and the Anglo-Saxons the Grain Moon. Other English names include Corn Moon and Lightning Moon.

Technically, the Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the September equinox around September 22. The Harvest Moon is the only Full Moon name determined by the equinox rather than a month. Most years, it’s in September, but around every three years, it falls in October.

In September, the Full Moon is the Corn Moon from the Native American tribes harvesting their corn. It can also be the Harvest Moon, which corresponds with the Anglo-Saxon name, while Celtic and Old English names are Wine Moon, Song Moon, and Barley Moon.

Traditionally, people in the Northern Hemisphere spent October preparing for the coming winter by hunting, slaughtering, and preserving meats, giving it its Anglo-Saxon name Hunter’s Moon. Every three years, the Hunter’s Moon is the Harvest Moon.

Native Americans named this Full Moon after fall, including Drying Rice Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, and Freezing Moon. The Celts used Seed Fall Moon to describe this. Also, the Pagan Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon is used for this Full Moon. However, this should not be confused with a total lunar eclipse, a Blood Moon.

The Full Moon in November is named after beavers who can be seen preparing for the winter. Native Americans also called it the Frost Moon and Freezing Moon.

In Celtic tradition, it is also called the Mourning Moon and the Darkest Depths Moon.

In December, winter begins for most people in the Northern Hemisphere. The December Full Moon is called the Cold Moon.

The Old English and Anglo-Saxon names are the Moon Before Yule or the Long Night Moon, referring to the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere: the December solstice. The Celts called it the Oak Moon or the Full Cold Moon.

Note: Because Full Moons have been given names in different parts of the world with different seasons and cultures, there are several alternative names making this an extensive but not exhaustive list. Overlap between the months may also happen as the Full Moon name was used to track the whole lunar month.

Sleep, crime, and menstruation: how Full Moons affect humans

The Full Moon names used today refer to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, so it doesn’t work to flip the names to fit the calendar in the Southern Hemisphere. As far as our research goes, Full Moon names are not common in Australia and New Zealand.

However, like the Native Americans, Māoris have their lunar calendar. It’s called the maramataka and starts in May. Each month has a name that refers to the season: Pipiri, Hongonui, Here-turi-kōkā, Mahuru, Whiringa-ā-nuku, Whiringa-ā-rangi, Hakihea, Kohi-tātea, Hui-tanguru, Poutū-te-rangi, Paenga-whāwhā, and Haratua.

Is the Moon upside-down in the other hemisphere?

In Japan, the name tsukumi literally means “looking at the Moon” but is commonly used to name the tradition of viewing the Harvest Moon. Koreans call it chuseok, and it is similar to the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.

In Sri Lanka, the Full Moon is called Poya and each Moon has its own name and a dedicated holiday. Listed here in the order January-December: Duruthu Poya, Navam Poya, Madin Poya, Bak Poya, Vesak Poya, Poson Poya, Esala Poya, Nikini Poya, Binara Poya, Vap Poya, Ill Poya, and Unduvap Poya.

There are 13 full moons throughout 2023. The last one occured early in the morning on Thursday, April 6. May's full moon will be on May 5.

There are many terms used to describe full moons — "super moon" indicates a moon that can appear slightly bigger and brighter than normal; a "blue moon" denotes the second full moon in a month; and various names have been given to the full moons based on their time of year.

April's full moon is known as the pink moon: For millennia, people across the world, including Native Americans in the eastern and central U.S., named the moons after nature’s cues. Each full moon has its own name, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

Here's what to know about all the full moons that will occur in 2023:

The next full moon of 2023 will be on Friday, May 5, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. April's full moon was on April 6, 2023, at 12:34 a.m. EDT.

Here are all the full moons in 2023, according to NOAA:

When the moon’s orbit brings it closer to Earth than usual, the cosmic combo is called a supermoon.

The moon can appear slightly bigger and brighter than normal, weather permitting.

EarthSky.org reports there will be four super moons in 2023:

A "blue" moon is typically defined as the second full moon of the month.

There's one blue moon in 2023: August 30.

The moon takes about 30 days to revolve around the Earth, which is called a lunar cycle. Each lunar cycle is divided into eight moon phases based on the moon’s position relative to the sun.

Contributing: Carlie Procell and Janet Loehrke