Roughly every 29.5 days, the Moon lines up directly opposite the Sun and appears fully lit from Earth — that's the full moon. Unlike most of the events in this feed, the full moon isn't a once-a-year occasion; it comes back like clockwork, month after month. This reminder makes sure you never miss one, whether you're into stargazing, photography, or just like knowing when the sky's about to put on a show. Click on the green Configure button and set how far in advance you want to be alerted.
Why use a reminder for the full moon?
- Catch it at the right time: A full moon is best viewed right around moonrise, when it looks largest and often takes on a golden-orange hue near the horizon.
- Plan photography or stargazing in advance: If you want clear shots or a good viewing spot, knowing the date ahead of time means you can scout locations or check the weather forecast early.
- Track folklore and traditions: Many cultures, gardening practices, and even some fishing and hunting schedules are built around lunar cycles.
- Never lose track of a recurring event: Since the full moon happens monthly, a one-time reminder setup means you're covered for the rest of the year without lifting a finger again.
Why does the Moon go through phases at all?
The Moon doesn't produce its own light — it reflects sunlight. As it orbits Earth, the angle between the Sun, Earth, and Moon changes, which is why we see different amounts of its lit surface: new moon, crescent, first quarter, full moon, and back again. A full moon happens when Earth is positioned roughly between the Sun and the Moon, so the entire visible face is illuminated.
Not every full moon is the same
Some full moons get special names based on the time of year, a tradition rooted largely in Native American and colonial American almanacs — think "Harvest Moon," "Wolf Moon," or "Strawberry Moon." Occasionally, a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit, producing a supermoon, which can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. On rarer occasions, two full moons fall within the same calendar month — the second one is popularly nicknamed a "blue moon," even though it isn't actually blue.
Worth knowing
A full lunar cycle (new moon to new moon) takes about 29.5 days, which is why some months get two full moons and February occasionally gets none at all.
So if you don't want to be the person who finds out about a stunning full moon the morning after, click that green Configure button and let the next one come straight to you.