Here’s how to see the Super Flower Moon, the very last supermoon of the year

Though the world seems like it’s completely off-kilter these days, one thing will always remain constant: the moon and its phases. On Thursday, May 7th, we’ll be treated to the Super Flower Moon, the last supermoon of the year. Though it won’t be as big or bright as the two supermoons before it, the Super Flower Moon will still appear larger and brighter than any full moons remaining in 2020. So, this is a lunar event you won’t want to miss.

Thursday’s full moon will peak at 6:45 a.m. EDT—meaning those of us on the East Coast may not be able to actually see it at its brightest, as it will already be lighter outside. However, the Flower Moon will appear super bright the night before (Wednesday, May 6th) and will remain fairly big and bright during the night of May 7th.

The Full Flower Moon is called such because it’s during this time of year that flowers begin to bloom—April showers bring May flowers, remember? According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, it was dubbed such by the Algonquin tribes and adopted by the early Colonists in North Eastern America.

However, other tribes and colonies used different names to refer to May’s full moon. Some communities called it Mother’s Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon.

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The Full Flower Moon rounds off a series of four supermoons, according to NASA Science. A supermoon is a new or full moon that occurs within 90% of perigee, which is its “closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.” Because it’s so close to Earth, it looks bigger and brighter in the night sky.

We experienced full supermoons in February, March, and April, but won’t see another one until 2021.

So, although the moon won’t actually be flower-shaped or look like a floral arrangement in any way, shape, or form, it’s still going to be an incredible sight to behold.

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