Central PA to get a chance to glimpse a flower moon — and the last of a meteor shower

A “flower” full moon will peak above State College soon, and a meteor shower will also be active for the next few days.

The flower moon gets its name from spring blooming season, and it’s also referred to as the “mulberry moon,” “camas blooming time,” “moon of the green leaves” and more names, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.

Full moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The Farmers’ Almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.

Here’s when to catch a look at the flower moon this year in Central Pennsylvania, plus when to see a meteor shower.

When is the flower moon?

The flower moon will peak at 9:53 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time Thursday and will appear full from Tuesday night to Friday, according to NASA.

This week’s forecast is relatively stormy in State College. The National Weather Service forecasts severe thunderstorms Wednesday night, showers Thursday night and a chance of thunderstorms Friday.

Pennsylvania stargazers may also get an opportunity to see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which peaked earlier this month, but will continue activity through Monday.

The Central Pennsylvania Observers will hold a free, public stargazing event from 9 to 11 p.m. June 7 at Tudek Park.

More full moons in 2024

If you don’t get a chance to see this month’s flower moon, you’ll still have seven more opportunities to see a full moon in 2024.

Here’s this year’s full moon calendar, with information from astronomy publication Space.com:

• June 21: Strawberry moon

• July 21: Buck moon

• Aug. 19: Sturgeon moon (supermoon and blue moon)

• Sept. 17: Harvest moon (supermoon and partial lunar eclipse)

• Oct. 17: Hunter’s moon (supermoon)

• Nov. 15: Beaver moon (supermoon)

• Dec. 15: Cold moon