Next full moon May 2024 Flower Moon rises Indiana

The Flower Moon shines May 23, 2024, reflecting blooming flowers. Learn about moon phases, Native American names, and lunar eclipses.

The Flower Moon, also known as the Budding Moon or Frog Moon, will be at its brightest on May 23, 2024. This full moon in May is a symbol of the blooming flowers that cover North America during this time of year. As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers," and the Flower Moon is a reflection of that natural beauty.

On the night of May 23, the moon will rise in the Indianapolis area around 9:39 p.m., reach its highest point in the sky at 1:20 a.m., and then set at 6:03 a.m. the following morning. Skywatchers may notice the moon taking on a vibrant orange or red hue at times, which is caused by sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere and scattering before reaching the moon's surface.

During a lunar eclipse, when the moon moves into Earth's shadow, colors with shorter wavelengths, like blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, such as reds and oranges. The amount of dust or clouds in Earth's atmosphere during the eclipse can affect the color of the moon, with more dust resulting in a redder appearance.

The Strawberry Moon, the next full moon after the Flower Moon, will be at its brightest on June 22, 2024. Keep an eye on the night sky to witness these natural wonders and enjoy the beauty of the changing moon phases throughout the year. For more updates on trending news, reach out to John Tufts at [email protected].