The Full Flower Moon Will Light Up the Sky Tonight—And Illuminate a “Surprise”
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Even though it has plenty of recognizable points of interest, the night sky is a constantly changing for those of us looking at it from down on Earth. There’s the monthly cycle of moon phases, constellations coming in and out of view with the passing of each season, and even special events like eclipses or meteor showers. And tonight marks one of those pretty unique occasions as the Full Flower Moon will light up the sky—along with a special “surprise” for stargazers. Read on to see how you can spot this remarkable astronomical sight.
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Even if you’re not the most eagle-eyed stargazer, it will be hard to miss the full moon’s brightness when it rises in the sky tonight. The event is known as the Flower Moon in May, which comes from a North American indigenous people’s description referencing the blooming of spring flowers that’s also underway, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
The moon will reach its fullest phase during daylight hours in North America on Friday afternoon, but our orbiting satellite will already appear full in the sky tonight and before sunrise in the early morning hours of May 5, according to astronomy reference website Earth Sky. The full moon will then appear again just after sunset on Friday, May 5, appearing low in the sky to the southeast as it rises. If the weather in your area isn’t ideal, you’ll still have a chance to see what appears to be a full moon on the night of May 6, thanks to the cycle’s timing this month.
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Those who manage to get a glimpse at the sky on the night of May 5 will also get a special treat. The Full Flower Moon will be situated near the constellation Libra, putting it in close range to a moderately bright star known as Zubenelgenubi. The astronomical landmark is known as a “surprise” star because those who look carefully can often make out that it’s actually two stars close together, per Earth Sky.
The moon will be a helpful guide to pinpointing the special sight all night. And while some may be able to catch the double stars without any instruments, a pair of binoculars will make the view even clearer.
Those who are looking to add another star to their checklist should also keep their eyes peeled for Antares. The red star is a part of the Scorpius constellation, which will also be near the moon on the night of May 5, according to Earth Sky.
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But the surprise star and full moon aren’t the only notable astronomical events happening on Friday evening: The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is underway and will hit its peak on the same night. And while the event produces a worthwhile spectacle annually, this year’s could be an even more memorable experience .
“They are projected to have a significant outburst on the night of May 4 [and] 5,” Bill Cooke , the lead for NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, told Space.com. He added that the surge “will be caused by particles ejected from Comet Halley way back in 390 [BCE], and rates should be over two times the norm.”
The extra active skies will be a boost for an annual event already known for “exhibiting bright meteors/fireballs, so it could be a pretty decent show,” Cooke said.
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If you’re looking for the best stargazing experience for tonight’s events, there are a few pointers to keep in mind before you set out. Ironically, while the full moon might be a spectacle unto itself, its brightness will also affect the viewing conditions for meteors. Still, you can get better overall results—and an easier glimpse of Zubenelgenubi—if you head to an area with as little light pollution as possible, according to Earth Sky.
Once you’ve found a good spot, you’ll need about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark and become primed for stargazing. Avoid looking at your phone as you settle in, and consider using a flashlight with a red light feature to cut down on glare and spare your eyes from the brightness while you get situated, Earth Sky suggests.
As the Eta Aquarids won’t appear above the horizon until late into the night, those planning to catch the moon and the meteor shower should prepare for a long evening. Make sure to dress warmly and bring a comfortable blanket or chair that makes it easy to lie back and take in as much of the sky as possible.
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
