“The flower moon’s name comes from the fact that the full moon coincides with flowers blooming in the spring across North America,” said Catherine Pilachowski. May 2026 will feature two full Moons. The first is on May 1, 2026, known as the Flower Moon.
The Flower Moon will reach peak fullness at 1:23 p.m. ET. It rises in the southeastern sky after sunset. This full Moon is also known as the Planting Moon, Milk Moon, Hare Moon, and Budding Moon.
On May 31, 2026, the second full Moon will occur, referred to as a Blue Moon. It will peak at 4:45 a.m. ET. A Blue Moon is defined as a second full moon in any month or a second full moon in a month of any season that has four full moons.
The Blue Moon will be a micromoon, appearing 6% to 7% smaller than the average full Moon. The distance from Earth will be approximately 252,360 miles. This micromoon phenomenon occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth.
Skywatchers may also observe a lunar halo around the Flower Moon. The halo appears due to ice crystals in Earth’s upper atmosphere refracting moonlight. The diameter of this halo can reach 22°.
The Flower Moon will be visible past midnight on May 1. It may appear orange or red when low on the horizon due to atmospheric scattering. If observed early in the morning, viewers can spot Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, to its left.
This month offers unique opportunities for astrophotography enthusiasts. The occurrence of two full Moons in one month happens every two to three years, making May 2026 particularly special for skywatchers.
