On Monday, May 12, people will be able to see the full moon, although it might appear slightly smaller than usual, a phenomenon known as a micromoon. According to NASA, this occurs when the celestial body is at its farthest point from Earth, about 251,000 miles away.

May’s Flower Moon closes the chapter on a series of micromoons in 2025. The first two appeared in January and February – each one pulling away from Earth, and each one smaller than the last. The Flower Moon, the final act, drifts farther than ever.

Why is May's full moon called the flower moon? Full moon names often come from seasons, historical crops and the behavior of certain animals. The "Flower Moon" nickname is because