The last supermoon (or flower moon if you're fancy) of the year came and went as one of the rare glimpses of positivity in 2020.
The name "supermoon" is obvious, but flower moon?
To muddle things even more, it could be called a "Corn Planting Moon", "Milk Moon", or "Vesak Festival Moon" depending on culture and location on Earth.
It all corresponds with the time of year and the passing of seasons.
The "farm" type names are literally because most of the northern hemisphere is emerging from winter due to Earth's axial tilt. Seeds are sown, newborn calves are born, and festivals for harvest usually occur in the winter-spring transition.
Therefore, flower moon after the flowers that usually bloom where it is currently moving towards spring, as Australia draws closer to Winter.
But, we call it a supermoon.
Because it isn't Spring and we aren't planting corn.
In either case, a supermoon is a new or full moon that occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth in its massive orbit.
So it seems REALLY big because its REALLY close, compared to usual.
While we won't say they're rare - because we've had three since February - this is the last one of the year.
And we missed it in its full grandeur.
Aussies were deprived of its usual lustrous glow due to the position of the moon in regards to Earths axial tilt. Besides, you had to be up at about 4:09 am to see it and that's a very big ask when our mornings are getting colder.
But thankfully, many stargazers have tagged and sent in some ripping shots of the moon we were deeply missing.
So, we gathered the best from all corners of the northern hemisphere and have them here for you to peruse.
Space Needle, Seattle, United States of America
#FlowerMoon rising behind Space Needle tonight in #Seattle. #supermoon2020 pic.twitter.com/3ed7zOEqtj
— Sigma Sreedharan (@sigmas) May 7, 2020
Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, England
It took a while to appear but the #FlowerMoon eventually made a brief appearance above @Ely_Cathedral which is still lit blue in support of the #NHS. #supermoon @SpottedInEly @ChrisPage90 @BBCLookEast @skyatnightmag @VirtualAstro pic.twitter.com/ofKH35c1R2
— James Billings (@jowlymonster) May 7, 2020
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Moonrise at #Stonehenge today (May 7th ) is at 20.51 and moonset is at 05.48 #FlowerMoon #Fullmoon #Moonphase #Supermoon pic.twitter.com/Van4kb0zdw
— Stonehenge U.K (@ST0NEHENGE) May 7, 2020
New York City, New York, United States
May’s ‘Flower Moon’ #may #flowermoon #nasa🚀 #nyc #breaknpics pic.twitter.com/t77pOlZ3G9
— Break'n Pics (@breaknpics) May 6, 2020
Bodorgan, Anglesey, Wales
Flower moon rises over Y Garn, Glyderau, Snowdonia seen from Bodorgan, Anglesey. Probably get the video out in a day or two ... 😊👍
— David Griffiths (@dgriffgallery) May 6, 2020
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.#flowermoon #supermoon #snowdonia #anglesey pic.twitter.com/jGQVVnkIUG
Sandycove, Dublin, Ireland
Flower Moon rising over Sandycove this evening.#FlowerMoon #DunLaoghaire #dublin pic.twitter.com/lyDkZDElqW
— Karl Jordan (@Karljordan) May 7, 2020
Big Bear, California, United States of America
#FlowerMoon #supermoon as seen from crestline, ca. Big moon over big bear. pic.twitter.com/wtRY9xwTd1
— J.Steele (@harrypotsticker) May 7, 2020
If you love a good moon, check out our fan favourite Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse supporter shirt to spread ARSE further.
