The days are getting longer as we approach the summer solstice. In May, about two more minutes of daylight are added each day. And although the nights in turn are getting shorter, the best time of the year to contemplate the skies is arriving. It is time to pay attention to the lunar calendar and the astronomical phenomena of this month, among which the shooting star shower of the Eta Aquarids or the Flower Moon stand out.
The full moon of May 2023 will take place on Friday, May 5, with our satellite in Scorpio. In the northern hemisphere, this full moon is called the Flower Moon, referring to the abundant blooming that occurs in the middle of spring. It is not the only name given to the full moon in May, as it is also known as the full corn moon or the full milk moon.
All these names have nothing to do with astronomy. The origin of the 12 popular names for the full moons is attributed to the natives of North America, who for centuries baptized the full moon to evoke an important fact related to agriculture or nature that coincided each month.
In this way, in one year we have the full moon of the wolf (January); of snow (February); of the worm (March); the pink moon (April); of the flowers (May); strawberry (June); full stag moon (July); sturgeon (August); harvest (September); of the hunter (October); of the beaver (November) and the cold full moon (December).
Now, this year there is a peculiarity, since in 2023 there will not be 12 full moons, but 13. As explained by Rafael Bachiller, director of the National Astronomical Observatory (National Geographic Institute) and academic of the Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain, the The average time elapsed between two full moons (the lunation) is 29.53 days and since the year has 12 months (a total of 365 or 366 days), it contains about 12.4 lunations. Thus, depending on the fit of the lunar cycles in the calendar, there can be years in which not 12, but 13 full moons occur. This is the case in 2023. Each month of the year will have a full moon, except August, which will have two: one on the 1st and another on the 31st.
According to the data from the astronomical agenda of the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the full moon of May 2023, the fifth full moon so far this year, takes place this Friday the 5th. The moment this phase begins, with one side of the Moon fully illuminated by the Sun and with the satellite having completed half of the lunar month, it is at 7:34 p.m. and under the sign of Scorpio. However, the practically complete phase of the Moon can be seen during the nights before and after the first Friday of the month.
To see the full moon, our own eyes are enough to contemplate its magical lighting, even being able to distinguish certain features of its face. Of course, the use of binoculars allows you to appreciate more details of its surface. The most important thing will be to situate ourselves at a high point, without obstacles and where there is little light pollution.
Every year between April 19 and May 28, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower takes place, a show whose maximum activity in 2023 takes place between May 6 and 7. They are bad dates for observation, since they practically coincide with the full moon, with too much light to easily detect shooting stars.
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