Did you know there are full moon names? And that they have specific dates that they can be observed this year? Whether you knew these things or not, you’ve come to the right place. We have all the information you need for you to know about full moon names, super moons and everything else in 2023!
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Where Can You See Full Moons in 2023?
Whether you are in the middle of a wide open field in the country or on the roof of an apartment building in the middle of a city, you can see the moon. Do it alone. Do it with a group of friends or with a romantic partner. It is even a socially-distanced activity! You don’t need a telescope or binoculars either (though they can help). All you really need is pretty good vision and some luck when it comes to weather.
What Will You See During Full Moons in 2023?
The names of the moon often have something to do with how the moon looks during that time of the year. For the most part, our eyes see patches of white and grey when we look up at the moon. Did you know that those grey swaths are actually ancient lava flows that have solidified? The white parts are the crust of the Moon.
If you have a telescope or binoculars you will probably be able to see these grey and white areas more clearly. You may even be able to make out the mountain ranges and craters on the Moon. Try using an observation journal to describe what you see each month so you can compare your notes month after month, year after year.
Where Did the Full Moon Names Come From?
Full Moon names come from a variety of places. Some of these are attributed to a multitude of Native American tribes by the Farmer’s Almanac. The names reflect celebrations at a particular time of year, the changing of seasons, a way to keep time, or just observations comparing the Moon to the natural world.
We have compiled the names of the Moon throughout the year and what dates they will occur in 2023. May every Full Moon this year be nothing but spectacular!
Full Moon Names and the Dates They Will Occur in 2023
1. WOLF MOON: January 6, 2023
January 28, 2023 is the first full moon of this year. Go ahead and howl at this moon when you see it! The Moon rises at 6:08 PM. Other names: Ice Moon, Moon after Yule.
2. SNOW MOON: February 5, 2023
It may or may not be snowing in February where you are, but this Moon is still called a Snow Moon. This Moon rises at 1:29 pm EST February 5th. Other names: Storm Moon, Hunger Moon.
3. WORM MOON: March 7, 2023
Just like the worms are rising through the early Spring grass in the Northern hemisphere, the Worm Moon will rise in the sky. Time to start planting your garden! You will be able to best see it at 7:40 AM EST on March 7. Other names: Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Sap Moon, Sugar Moon, and the Lenten Moon.
4. PINK MOON: April 6, 2023
Not only is this April Full Moon called the Pink Moon, named for the bloom of the pink Phlox flower, it is also a Supermoon. A supermoon is when a Full Moon occurs particularly close to Earth during its elliptical orbit. The Moon will appear larger and brighter this month and can be seen overnight starting at 12:34 am EST on April 6. Other names: Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.
5. FLOWER MOON: May 5, 2023
The Flower Moon may be rising at the same time as your favorite late Spring flowers in the Northern Hemisphere. This year it will also feature a Total Lunar eclipse which will be visible from Australia, the Pacific islands, east Asia and North and South America. It is also called a Blood Moon because of the reddish glow it gives off. During this lunar eclipse, the sunlight is blocked when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. Basically, the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. Starting at 1:34 pm on the 5th , this Lunar eclipse will also happen starting minutes before the peak of the full moon. The Flower Moon will also be the second Supermoon of 2023. Other names: Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
6. STRAWBERRY MOON: June 3, 2023
In many places, the Strawberry Moon tells us it is time to harvest the berries in your garden. This Full Moon is also a Supermoon, rising at 11:42 pm pm EST. Other names: Mead Moon and Honey Moon. This is Dana’s favorite only becasue it is her birthday month and her uncles use to call her strawberry.
7. BUCK MOON: July 3, 2023
This moon rises when the antlers on deer are growing fast. It is a good day to look for elk or deer traipsing through the countryside (or your garden). You will be able to see this Full Moon starting at 7:39 pm EST. Other names: Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, Mead Moon, and the Rose Moon.
8. STURGEON MOON : August 1, 2023
August 1 is the night to go night fishing, especially if you find yourself fishing for Sturgeon fish. It is also a Blue Moon, which, surprisingly, is not actually the color blue. It’s called a Blue Moon because it is falls in a season with four Full Moons. The third Full Moon of this season is called the Blue Moon. (Alternately, a Blue Moon refers to the second Full Moon in the same month.) Other name: the Green Corn Moon.
August also brings the Full Blue Moon on August 30, 2023. Peaking at 9:35 PM It will be a super moon.
9. HARVEST MOON: September 29, 2023
One of the most obvious names of the Moon, is the Harvest Moon. It is named this because it is the Full Moon closest to the Equinox and is a sign for farmers to harvest their crops. Other names: Corn Moon, Fruit Moon, Barley Moon, and Hungry Ghost Moon.
10. BLOOD MOON: October 28, 2023
This is always a spooky moon close to Halloween. Called a Blood Moon because of its unique reddish glow, these Moons are not always visible to the naked eye from all points on Earth. Typically, they occur twice a year. This will be the second one in 2023. Other names: Travel Moon, Dying Grass Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Harvest Moon, and the Sanguine Moon.
11. FROST MOON: November, 27, 2023
The Frost Moon means winter is coming soon. And in 2023, this Moon will also feature a partial Lunar Eclipse. The Eclipse will start at 4:16 am EST. You will be able to see it from North and South America, east Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean and northen Europe. Other names: Frosty Moon, the Beaver Moon, and the Snow Moon.
12. COLD MOON: December 26, 2023
Bundle up if you want to deserve the Cold Moon this year. It is the finale of the Full Moons in 2023, visible at 7:33 pm EST. Other names: Cold Moon, Oak Moon, Moon before Yule, and Long Night Moon.
The names of the Moon are fun to learn and exciting to look for each year. You may also want to check out the New Moon schedule for 2023. If you are looking for more information, NASA has some terrific resources for moon watching events. Now let’s get out there and see what you can see!