The "Super Moon" Full Moon rises over southern Spain in 2016. Credit: Mark Chinnick (Flickr)
Full Moons wield a magnetic charm. This monthly event has been the inspiration behind myths, tales, traditions, and even farming. We’ll update this article multiple times each week with the latest moonrise, moonset, Full Moon schedule, and what you can see in the sky each week.
The Full Moon in April 2024 is at 7:49 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 23, and is called the Pink Moon.
Here’s the complete list of Full Moons this year and their traditional names.
2024 Full Moon schedule
(all times Eastern)
- Jan. 25 — 12:54 p.m. — Wolf Moon
- Feb. 24 —7:30 a.m. — Snow Moon
- March 25 — 3 a.m. — Worm Moon
- April 23 — 7:49 p.m. — Pink Moon
- May 23 — 9:53 a.m. — Flower Moon
- June 21 — 9:08 p.m. — Strawberry Moon
- July 21 — 6:17 a.m. — Buck Moon
- Aug. 19 — 2:26 p.m. — Sturgeon Moon
- Sept. 17 — 10:34 p.m. — Corn Moon
- Oct. 17 — 7:26 a.m. — Hunter’s Moon
- Nov. 15 — 4:28 p.m. — Beaver Moon
- Dec. 15 — 4:02 a.m. —Cold Moon
The phases of the Moon in April 2024
These images below show the day-by-day phases of the moon this month. The Full Moon in April is on April 23.
The moonrise and moonset schedule this week
The following is adapted from Alison Klesman’s The Sky This Week article, which you can find here.
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.
Sunday, April 21
Sunrise: 6:13 A.M.
Sunset: 7:45 P.M.
Moonrise: 5:47 P.M.
Moonset: 5:13 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (95%)
Monday, April 22
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks tonight! The best time to catch shower meteors is either early this morning in the hours before dawn or overnight tonight into early tomorrow morning. That’s because meteor showers are best seen in the early-morning hours, as those positions on the planet getting ready for dawn are rotating into the direction of Earth’s motion.
If you’re out this morning around 4 A.M., look east to spot the three bright stars of the Summer Triangle. The Lyrids originate from a point near Vega, which is the magnitude 0 star that marks the highest point in the Triangle as it rises. The other two stars are Deneb to Vega’s lower right and Altair to Vega’s lower left.
Although the radiant lies near Vega, you’ll want to look some 40° or so to one side or the other of this star. That’s because shower meteors show off the longest trains through the sky in regions adjacent to — but not directly centered on — the radiant. Because of the bright Moon, only the very brightest shower meteors will be visible, so you might expect to see about 6 or so per hour, down from the shower’s maximum rate of some 18 meteors per hour.
Nonetheless, because you will only see the brightest meteors, they’re likely to be memorable. If the weather is mild and the skies are clear, there’s no reason not to step outside today and tomorrow before dawn to catch the show.
Sunrise: 6:11 A.M.
Sunset: 7:46 P.M.
Moonrise: 6:47 P.M.
Moonset: 5:32 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (98%)
Tuesday, April 23 — The full Moon for April 2024
Full Moon occurs at 7:49 P.M. EDT, bringing us April’s Pink Moon. As previously mentioned, however, the bright not-quite-yet-Full Moon in the pre-dawn sky will likely wash out all but the brightest Lyrid meteors if you try to catch them early this morning.
Sunrise: 6:10 A.M.
Sunset: 7:47 P.M.
Moonrise: 7:49 P.M.
Moonset: 5:53 A.M.
Moon Phase: Full
Wednesday, April 24
Sunrise: 6:08 A.M.
Sunset: 7:48 P.M.
Moonrise: 8:54 P.M.
Moonset: 6:16 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (99%)
Thursday, April 25
Sunrise: 6:07 A.M.
Sunset: 7:49 P.M.
Moonrise: 10:01 P.M.
Moonset: 6:44 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (97%)
Friday, April 26
Sunrise: 6:06 A.M.
Sunset: 7:50 P.M.
Moonrise: 11:08 P.M.
Moonset: 7:18 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (93%)
How and why do Full Moons occur?
The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This unique alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight. And thanks to the Moon’s orbit around Earth, the angle of sunlight hitting the lunar surface and being reflected back to our planet evolves, giving birth to varied lunar phases.
These phases span the New Moon, waxing crescent, First Quarter, waxing gibbous, Full Moon, waning gibbous, Last Quarter, and waning crescent. A cycle starting from one Full Moon to its next counterpart, termed the synodic month or lunar month, lasts about 29.5 days.
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Though a Full Moon only occurs during the exact moment when Earth, Moon, and Sun form a perfect alignment, to our eyes, the Moon seems Full for around three days.
Different names for different types of Full Moon
There are a wide variety of specialized names used to identify distinct types or timings of Full Moons. These names primarily trace back to a blend of cultural, agricultural, and natural observations about the Moon, aimed at allowing humans to not only predict seasonal changes, but also track the passage of time.
For instance, almost every month’s Full Moon boasts a name sourced from Native American, Colonial American, or other North American traditions, with their titles mirroring seasonal shifts and nature’s events.
Wolf Moon (January): Inspired by the cries of hungry wolves.
Snow Moon (February): A nod to the month’s often heavy snowfall.
Worm Moon (March): Named after the earthworms that signal thawing grounds.
Pink Moon (April): In honor of the blossoming pink wildflowers.
Related: How to see the eclipse in April
Flower Moon (May): Celebrating the bloom of flowers.
Strawberry Moon (June): Marks the prime strawberry harvest season.
Buck Moon (July): Recognizing the new antlers on bucks.
Sturgeon Moon (August): Named after the abundant sturgeon fish.
Corn Moon (September): Signifying the corn harvesting period.
Hunter’s Moon (October): Commemorating the hunting season preceding winter.
Beaver Moon (November): Reflects the time when beavers are busy building their winter dams.
Cold Moon (December): Evocative of winter’s chill.
In addition, there are a few additional names for Full Moons that commonly make their way into public conversations and news.
Super Moon: This term is reserved for a Full Moon that aligns with the lunar perigee, which is the Moon’s nearest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity renders the Full Moon unusually large and luminous. For a Full Moon to earn the Super Moon tag, it should be within approximately 90 percent of its closest distance to Earth.
Blue Moon: A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a month that experiences two Full Moons. This phenomenon graces our skies roughly every 2.7 years. Though the term suggests a color, Blue Moons aren’t truly blue. Very occasionally, atmospheric conditions such as recent volcanic eruptions might lend the Moon a slightly blueish tint, but this hue isn’t tied to the term.
Harvest Moon: Occurring closest to the autumnal equinox, typically in September, the Harvest Moon is often renowned for a distinct orange tint it might display. This Full Moon rises close to sunset and sets near sunrise, providing extended hours of bright moonlight. Historically, this was invaluable to farmers gathering their produce.
Common questions about Full Moons
What is the difference between a Full Moon and a New Moon? A Full Moon is witnessed when Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, making the entire Moon’s face visible. Conversely, during a New Moon, the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun, shrouding its Earth-facing side in darkness.
How does the Full Moon influence tides? The Moon’s gravitational tug causes Earth’s waters to bulge, birthing tides. During both Full and New Moons, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in alignment, generating “spring tides.” These tides can swing exceptionally high or low due to the combined gravitational influences of the Sun and Moon.
Do Full Moons have an impact on human behavior? While numerous tales suggest Full Moons stir human behavior, causing increased restlessness or even lunacy, rigorous scientific analyses have largely debunked these tales.
Full Moons, in their myriad forms, stand testament to humanity’s enduring captivation with the cosmos. They evoke not just our celestial connection but also tether us to Earth’s rhythms. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or an occasional night sky admirer, Full Moons invariably call for our attention, inviting both introspection and marvel.
Here are the dates for all the lunar phases in 2024:
| New | First Quarter | Full | Last Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 3 | |||
| Jan. 11 | Jan. 17 | Jan. 25 | Feb. 2 |
| Feb. 9 | Feb. 16 | Feb. 24 | March 3 |
| March 10 | March 17 | March 25 | April 1 |
| April 8 | April 15 | April 23 | May 1 |
| May 7 | May 15 | May 23 | May 30 |
| June 6 | June 14 | June 21 | June 28 |
| July 5 | July 13 | July 21 | July 27 |
| Aug. 4 | Aug. 12 | Aug. 19 | Aug 26 |
| Sept. 2 | Sept. 11 | Sept. 17 | Sept. 24 |
| Oct. 2 | Oct. 10 | Oct. 17 | Oct. 24 |
| Nov. 1 | Nov. 9 | Nov. 15 | Nov. 22 |
| Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 |
| Dec. 30 |
