May's full moon is a flower moon and here's when you'll see the 'micromoon' rise over Canada
May's full moon is also known as the flower moon.
You can see it rise over Canada soon, and here's what you need to know about the "micromoon" this month.
The full moon reaches peak illumination in the sky on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Each month's full moon has a name from Indigenous, colonial American, and European traditions, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The full moon in May is known as the flower moon because of the spring flowers that bloom during the month.
Also, the May full moon this year is a "micromoon," which means it's near the point of its orbit where it's furthest from Earth.
It will be around 405,278 kilometres away when it reaches peak illumination on May 12.
But the moon won't actually look any smaller just because it's a "micromoon."
When you look to the horizon as the moon rises at night on May 12, it will appear bigger because of an optical illusion known as the moon illusion.
You can spot the moonrise to the southeast on Monday night.
In the night sky, you'll also be able to see the Libra and Scorpius constellations alongside the moon.
The full moon in April was also a micromoon, which makes the May full moon the second consecutive full micromoon of 2025.
If you're wondering when a supermoon will rise over Canada, you'll have to wait until the end of the year.
There won't be a supermoon until November. Then, another supermoon will light up the skies across Canada in December!
Supermoons appear 13% to 14% bigger and 27% to 30% bigger than micromoons.
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This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
