When Is the Next Full Moon?

When the moon is on the opposite side of the sun, the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun. This is the full moon phase, when the moon is completely visible in the sky all night.

Full Moon Calendar 2025

Full Moon Calendar 2026

FAQ Full Moon

What are the phases of the Moon?

The Moon orbits Earth, and as it does, the illuminated part we see changes, creating different phases:

• New Moon: The side facing Earth isn't lit, making it invisible.
• Waxing Crescent: A small sliver appears on the right as the Moon moves away from New Moon, growing larger daily.
• First Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated, with the right side visible.
• Waxing Gibbous: More of the Moon's surface becomes visible, appearing larger and fuller.
• Full Moon: The entire face is lit, making it fully visible.
• Waning Gibbous: The Moon looks smaller as less of its illuminated side is visible.
• Last Quarter: The left half is illuminated, while the right half is in shadow.
• Waning Crescent: The Moon looks like a thin crescent, with the illuminated area shrinking daily.

How often does a full Moon occur?

A full Moon happens about every 29.5 days, which is the time it takes for the Moon to go around the Earth once. This period is known as a synodic month, and it's the basis for tracking the lunar cycle.

Is there a full Moon every month?

While a full Moon occurs about every 29.5 days, the calendar month is typically around 30 or 31 days long. As a result, some months have two full Moons, a phenomenon known as a Blue Moon. This occurs because the lunar cycle and the calendar year are not perfectly synchronized. On average, a Blue Moon happens about once every 2.7 years.

Why can't we see the far side of the Moon?

The far side of the Moon, also known as the dark side, is not actually dark; it's just the side of the Moon that always faces away from Earth. We can't see it because of the Moon's tidal locking, which means that the Moon takes the same amount of time to rotate on its axis as it takes to orbit the Earth. As a result, the same face of the Moon always faces our planet, and the far side remains hidden from view. The far side was not visible to humans until the Soviet Union's Luna 3 spacecraft imaged it in 1959. Since then, several spacecraft have imaged the far side, providing us with a better understanding of the Moon's composition and geology.

Is there a full Moon every month?

While a full Moon occurs about every 29.5 days, the calendar month is typically around 30 or 31 days long. As a result, some months have two full Moons, a phenomenon known as a Blue Moon. This occurs because the lunar cycle and the calendar year are not perfectly synchronized. On average, a Blue Moon happens about once every 2.7 years.

Why is there a full Moon in the daytime?

A full Moon can occur during the daytime because the Moon's orbit is not perfectly synchronized with the Earth's rotation. When the Moon is full, it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. However, this doesn't mean it's always visible at night. The Moon's position in the sky changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation so that a full Moon can be above the horizon during the daytime. In fact, a full Moon is often visible in the sky for a short period during the day, usually around sunrise or sunset, when the Moon is low on the horizon.

How many full Moons are there in a year?

There are approximately 12-13 full Moons in a year, depending on the lunar cycle and the calendar year. Since the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, and the calendar year is about 365.25 days, there are usually 12 full Moons in a year. However, because the lunar cycle is shorter than the calendar year, an extra full Moon appears about every 2.7 years, resulting in a Blue Moon. This means that, on average, there are 12.37 full Moons in a year, so we have a Blue Moon about once every 2.7 years. 

What is happening during a full Moon?

During a full Moon, the Sun fully illuminates the Moon's face, making it visible from Earth. This happens when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, revealing its entire surface. The full Moon is the most iconic phase of the lunar cycle.

What are the different kinds of Full Moons?

There are various types of full Moons, each with unique traits and folklore. Notable ones include:

• Blue Moon, the second in one month due to calendar mismatch;
• Super Moon, when the Moon is closest to Earth, appearing larger and brighter;
• Blood Moon, during a lunar eclipse, with a reddish hue;
• Harvest Moon, near the autumnal equinox, linked to harvest season;
• Snow Moon, in February, associated with snowy weather in the North.

What is the Full Moon's Role in Our Lives?

The full Moon has influenced human culture, folklore, behavior, emotions, and the natural world throughout history. Many ancient societies believed it profoundly impacted our lives.

• Tides: The full Moon's gravity significantly affects Earth's oceans, causing higher high tides and lower low tides.
• Emotions: Many believe the full Moon amplifies emotions, increasing excitement, anxiety, or irritability.
• Agriculture: The full Moon has been used as a guide for planting and harvesting crops, as it is often associated with changing seasons.
• Spirituality: The full Moon is often seen as a symbol of spiritual growth, renewal, and transformation, and is often used in rituals and ceremonies to mark important life events.

What is the cultural meaning of the different names of the Full Moon across the year?

The Full Moon's names, often called "traditional" or 'folk,' originated from ancient cultures in North America and Europe. Early American colonists, Native American tribes, and European farmers gave these names to track seasons and plan farming activities. Here are some of the most common names of the Full Moon, along with their meanings and origins:

1. January: Wolf Moon- named after the howling of wolves in the cold winter nights.
2. February: Snow Moon- named after the heavy snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere during this month.
3. March: Worm Moon- named after the groundworms that emerge from the soil as the weather warms up.
4. April: Pink Moon- named after the pink wildflowers that bloom in the spring.
5. May: Flower Moon- named after the abundance of flowers that bloom in the spring.
6. June: Strawberry Moon- named after the ripe strawberries ready to be picked.
7. July: Buck Moon- named after the new antlers that begin to grow on buck deer.
8. August: Sturgeon Moon- named after the sturgeon fish that are abundant in the Great Lakes and other waterways during this month.
9. September: Harvest Moon- named after the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of the harvest season.
10. October: Hunter's Moon- named after the full Moon that occurs after the Harvest Moon, which marks the beginning of the hunting season.
11. November: Beaver Moon- named after the beavers who are busy preparing for winter this month.
12. December: Cold Moon- named after the cold temperatures that begin to set in during this month.

These names were often used to keep track of the seasons and the activities associated with each time of year. They are still used today to connect with the natural world and the cycles of the Moon.

What is the difference between a Full Moon and a New Moon?