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If you thought the best part of this Friday was the holiday and, consequently, the long weekend , then get ready to look up at the sky: the first day of May brings us not only the traditional Labor Day celebrations but also the “Flower Full Moon.”
The best part? This isn’t your only chance to witness the splendor of a full moon in May, as this is one of those rare moments when the astronomical calendar treats us not to one, but two full moons. In this sense, on May 1st we have the “Flower Moon” and then, on the last day of the month, the legendary “Blue Moon.”
What is the origin of this name?
The “Flower Moon,” traditionally known as the May Full Moon, owes its name to the fact that it coincides with the peak of spring and the blooming of flowers in the Northern Hemisphere. For this reason, Native American peoples nicknamed it the “Flower Moon.”
The first of two “micro-moons”
In addition to two full moons, May has another surprise in store: both are micro-moons. What does this mean? According to the specialized website “Star Walk, ” a “micro-moon occurs near apogee, the point where the moon is farthest from Earth in its orbit.”
In practice, this means that the two May moons will appear “about 5% smaller and 10% less bright than an average full moon.” Although the difference is hard to see with the naked eye, it becomes more evident when we compare photos of a micro-moon with a supermoon.
When and where can you see the Flower Moon?
The peak of the “Flower Full Moon” is scheduled for May 1, around 6:23 p.m., in Portugal. However, since it’s still daylight at that time, the true astronomical spectacle only begins in the late afternoon, as the sun sets and the moon takes center stage on the horizon.
For the best viewing experience, look for places away from the intense “light pollution” of downtown Porto, or choose high vantage points with unobstructed views. Here are four perfect suggestions in Porto and the surrounding area:
- Serra do Pilar Viewpoint (Gaia)
- Virtudes Viewpoint
- Porto City Park
- Pérgola da Foz.
