Get ready for a stunning celestial event! The Full Flower Moon is set to light up the night sky this week, enchanting viewers for three days. Named after May’s blooming flowers, it’s also called the “Mother’s Moon,” “Milk Moon,” or “Corn Planting Moon.”
Native Americans saw the Flower Moon as a signal to start planting crops, understanding its phases and nature’s cycles. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, moonrise is at 8:35 pm ET on Thursday, with the moon crossing the meridian at 1:14 am and setting at 5:46 am on Friday.
Sky enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of the Flower Moon on Wednesday before sunset by looking east. The main event is Thursday when the moon appears beside the star Antares. Located in the constellation Scorpius, Antares is known for its ruby color and is nearing the end of its life, predicted to explode in a supernova.
In 2017, the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLTI) captured detailed images of Antares, revealing unexpected turbulence and low-density gas far from the star. This challenges our understanding of energy transfer in stars’ outer atmospheres, prompting scientists to explore new processes.
Mark your calendars for a breathtaking display of the Full Flower Moon and the celestial beauty of Antares. You won’t want to miss this remarkable show in the night sky!
