When will the next full moon be?
There are lots of full-moon calculators out there, but we think the one at TimeAndDate is the best: take a look here.
The moon goes through different phases during its lunar cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days.
These phases result from the changing position of the moon relative to the Earth and the sun.
The main phases include new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter.
Additionally, there are intermediate phases: waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous, and waning crescent.
- New Moon: The moon is between the Earth and the sun, and the side facing the Earth is not illuminated.
The moon is barely visible at this stage.
- Waxing Crescent: The moon is moving away from the new moon position, and a small portion of the illuminated side is visible from Earth.
- First Quarter: The moon is now at a 90-degree angle with the Earth and the sun.
Half of the illuminated side is visible.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the illuminated side is visible, as the moon continues to move towards a full moon.
- Full Moon: The moon is opposite the sun and fully illuminated, with the Earth in the middle.
- Waning Gibbous: The illuminated side starts to decrease, and we see less than full but more than half of the illuminated side.
- Third Quarter: The moon reaches another 90-degree angle with the Earth and the sun, and only half of the illuminated side is now visible.
- Waning Crescent: The last stage before a new moon, with only a small sliver of the illuminated side visible.
The Significance of Full Moons
Full moons have held cultural and historical significance for centuries.
They occur approximately every 29.5 days when the moon is completely illuminated by the sun’s light.
The 2024 full moon dates can be found using a lunar calendar.
A full moon occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned in space, with Earth in the middle.
This alignment results in the moon’s fully lighted hemisphere being directly visible to us on Earth, as explained by EarthSky.
The predictable cycle of moon phases has allowed ancient cultures to develop lunar calendars, which were helpful for agricultural planning and religious observations.
Different cultures attribute various meanings to full moons, often assigning names based on seasonal or natural events.
For example, certain Native American tribes named full moons according to the behavior of flora or fauna during that time, such as the Harvest Moon in autumn or the Strawberry Moon in spring.
In conclusion, understanding the full moon cycle and the various phases of the moon can provide fascinating insights into the natural world and cultural history.
The predictable nature of the lunar calendar has long been a valuable tool for human societies, while the beauty and mystique of full moons continue to captivate our imaginations.
Full Moon Dates and Names by Month
January to June
The Full Moon names hold a historical significance and are based on Native American, Colonial American, and other traditional North American sources.
The Algonquin tribes used the Moon names to track the seasons.
In January, the Full Moon is called the Wolf Moon, as wolves were heard howling in hunger during this time.
February’s Full Moon is known as the Snow Moon due to the heavy snowfall that occurs in winter.
In March, the Worm Moon signifies the time when earthworms come out, attracting birds and signaling the start of spring.
April’s Full Moon, called the Pink Moon, is named after the wild ground phlox flowers that bloom during this time.
The Flower Moon in May signifies the abundance of flowers that bloom in spring.
June’s Full Moon is called the Strawberry Moon as it marks the start of the strawberry harvesting season.
July to December
In July, the Full Moon is called the Buck Moon because young buck deer start to grow new antlers.
The Sturgeon Moon in August is named after the large fish that were easily caught in lakes and rivers.
September’s Full Moon is known as the Corn Moon or the Harvest Moon due to the time when Native Americans harvested corn, while the Hunter’s Moon in October was the time for hunting in preparation for winter.
November’s Full Moon is called the Beaver Moon because it was the time when beavers built their dams in preparation for the cold months.
Finally, December’s Full Moon is called the Cold Moon as it marks the beginning of the colder months.
A Blue Moon occurs when there are two Full Moons in a single calendar month.
A Supermoon happens when the Moon’s orbit is closest to Earth, making the Moon appear larger and brighter than usual.
Some Full Moon names come from English traditions, such as the Mead Moon, Hay Moon, and Rose Moon.
You can check the Full Moon calendar for the exact dates and times of the next Full Moons.
These dates and times are based on Eastern Time and can be adjusted to your city by using a Moon phase calendar.