Flower Moon: Final supermoon of the year to take place this week

According to NASA, the moon is called a Flower Moon because flowers are plentiful this time of year. Other names the moon has been referred to include the Milk Moon, the Vesak Festival Moon and the Corn Planting Moon.

Astrologer Richard Nolle coined the term supermoon in 1979. It describes a new or full moon that has come the closest to earth that it will during its orbit. This is also called its perigee.

The space agency says that supermoons have the potential to look up to 14 percent bigger than a normal full moon—and 30 percent brighter.

This year, there have been three supermoons already but the Flower Moon will be the last one. The Super Pink Moon is expected to come next in April 2021.

On Tuesday night, the Flower Moon will begin to look full. An Eta-Aquariid meteor shower is also expected early on Tuesday morning but may be overshadowed by the Flower Moon.

The Flower Moons peak will take place at about 6:45 a.m. ET, Thursday. NASA says the moon will also appear full on Friday night.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that going out to see the moon on Wednesday or Thursday night will provide the best viewing experience.

You can look up during moonset or moonrise to see the Flower Moon when the effect is most drastic.

To get the most out of the Supermoon, stargazers can take their binoculars to an elevated position or a high floor and view it in detail.