In 2024, witness 12 full moons, two supermoons, a blue moon, and two lunar eclipses. Experienced observers cherish the full moon's celestial rise at dusk, despite limited lunar surface visibility.In 2024, delve into full moons with unique agricultural names. Encounter two supermoons and a rare blue moon.In 2024, expect fewer full moons than 2023 due to the lunar year's 354-day duration.
Full moon guide: When's the next full moon?
Here are all of the full moon dates and times for 2024, according to Timeanddate.com, including the most commonly used names in North America:
1. Thursday, Jan. 25: Wolf Moon (17:54 UTC/12:54 p.m. ET)
2. Saturday, Feb. 24: Snow Moon (12:30 UTC/7:30 a.m. ET)
3. Monday, March 25: Worm Moon (07:00 UTC/3:00 a.m. ET) — also a penumbral lunar eclipse
4. Tuesday, April 23: Pink Moon (23:48 UTC/7:48 p.m. ET)
5. Thursday, May 23: Flower Moon (13:53 UTC/9:53 a.m. ET)
6. Friday, June 21: Strawberry Moon (01:07 UTC/9:07 p.m. ET)
7. Sunday, July 21: Buck Moon (10:17 UTC/6:17 a.m. ET)
8. Monday, Aug. 19 Sturgeon Moon (18:25 UTC/2:25 p.m. ET) — also a supermoon and a blue m
9. Wednesday, Sept. 18: Harvest Moon (02:34 UTC/10:34 p.m. ET) — also a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse
10. Thursday, Oct. 17: Hunter's Moon (11:26 UTC/7:26 a.m. ET) — also a supermoon
11. Friday, Nov. 15: Beaver Moon (21:28 UTC/4:28 p.m. ET) — also a supermoon
12. Sunday, Dec. 15: Cold Moon (09:01 UTC/4:01 a.m. ET)
Lunar eclipses 2024
In 2024, anticipate two modest lunar eclipses. The first, on March 24/25, is a penumbral eclipse.The second eclipse on September 17/18, a partial lunar eclipse, transforms 8% of the Harvest Supermoon.
What are the moon's phases?
In scientific terms, the moon's 29.5-day cycle is divided into 8 phases based on celestial positions.Commencing the lunar cycle, the "new moon" occurs when the moon aligns directly with Earth and the sun. This phase, invisible from Earth, facilitates total solar eclipses, like the one on April 8, 2024, visible in North America.As sunlight increases on the moon's Earth-facing side, it enters the waxing phase, progressing to a waxing crescent. Subsequently, the "first quarter" phase reveals half of the moon's illuminated surface.Following the waxing crescent, the waxing gibbous moon emerges, bridging the gap between first quarter and full moon. At the midpoint of the lunar cycle, the full moon graces the sky, shining brightly and appearing large. In this phase, the moon and sun occupy opposite sides of Earth, illuminating the moon's entire Earth-facing side.Post full moon, the waning cycle unfolds: starting with the waning gibbous phase, followed by the "last quarter moon," and concluding with a waning crescent. After nearly 30 days, the moon returns to the "new" phase, restarting the cycle.
