Context:
- This full Moon will be the last of the three super moons to occur this year.
- This year, we’ve been enjoying a series of spring supermoons, which began with March’s Worm Moon, culminated in April’s Pink Moon, and will finish with May’s Flower Moon on May 7.
Why it is called Flower moon?
- May’s full Moon was also called Mother’s Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon.
- The May full Moon marked a time of increasing fertility, with temperatures warm enough for safely bearing young, a near end to late frosts, and plants in bloom.
- The full moon of the month of May is known as the Flower Moon.
- According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Full Moon of May is called Flower Moon because, in most areas, flowers are abundant everywhere at this time of the year.
- It is also known as Full Corn Planting Moon as well as the Milk Moon.
- Since this full moon will also be a supermoon, it is being called the Super Flower Moon.
- The term “supermoon” was coined by the astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 and it refers to either a new or full moon that occurs within 90 per cent of perigee.
How does it look like?
- The Super Flower Moon will reach peak illumination at 4.15 pm IST on Thursday.
- During this time, the moon will appear bigger and brighter than usual as it will be near perigee— the closest approach of Moon to the Earth.
Future Officers 