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2023 Full Moon calendar: Dates, times, types, and names

For millennia, Full Moons have wielded a magnetic charm that has seized human hearts and minds. Across diverse cultures and eras, this consistent monthly event has been the inspiration behind innumerable myths, tales, traditions, and even agrarian activities.

So, let’s delve deeper into the various types of Full Moon, learn what they each mean, and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this enthralling lunar phase.

The next full Moon begins at 4:16 a.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 27.

Here’s the complete list of full moons in 2023 along with their traditional names.

2023 full Moon schedule

(all times Eastern)

Jan.  6 — Wolf Moon Feb. 5  — Snow Moon March 7 —Worm Moon April 6— Pink Moon May 5 —Flower Moon June 3 — Strawberry Moon Aug. 1 — Sturgeon Moon Aug. 30— Blue Moon Sept. 29 — Corn Moon Oct. 28 — Hunter’s Moon 4:16 a.m. Nov. 27 — Beaver Moon 7:33 p.m. Dec. 26 — Cold Moon The phases of the Moon in November 2023

These are the day-by-day phases of the moon this month.

The phases of the Moon for November, 2023. Credit: Astronomy: Roen Kelly Something special to look for this month

The waxing crescent Moon is a crowd pleaser and a selenophile’s delight. On the evening of Nov. 18, two nights before First Quarter, the bewildering spread of craters in the south gives way to the wrinkled ridges crossing the darker lava seas to the north. Pry your eye away from the fantastic Serpentine Ridge in the northern half of the Moon and settle on a spot just above the equator, where a wild zone of ridges plies the frozen face of Mare Tranquillitatis.

Literally buried under the Sea of Tranquillity’s mostly north-south ridges is a ghostly ring named Lamont. Astronomers believe this is all that’s left of a modestly large impact basin, later flooded to the rim by the upwelling lavas of eons ago. Afterward, a smaller impactor carved out the crater Arago to the northwest. A second concentric ring, about twice the size of Lamont, is trickier to see and seems easier when you’re not trying hard. Multiple rings are a common feature of the larger basins. Just north of Arago is a modest bump, the largest of a family of volcanic domes in the neighborhood. 

Both the wrinkles and domes are so gentle that without the low Sun angle they will disappear by the 19th. Should the 18th be cloudy, take your next opportunity and instead drift on any lunar sea near the terminator. Wrinkles, bumps, and cracks await!

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.

Related: The best telescopes for beginners

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.

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.

A composite of each month’s Full Moon is 2020. Credit: Soumyadeep Mukherjee

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.

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 Moonrise over the Syr Darya river in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Nov. 13, 2016. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

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. Yet, the legend persists, helping fuel our collective fascination with the Moon and its impact on our lives.

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.

Related: How long is a year on other planets?

Here are the full moons to look ahead to next year:

2024 full Moon calendar

(all times Eastern)

Jan. 25 — 12:54 p.m. Feb. 24 —7:30 a.m. March 25 — 3 a.m. April 23 — 7:49 p.m. May 23 — 9:53 a.m. June 21 — 9:08 p.m. July 21 — 6:17 a.m. Aug. 19 — 2:26 p.m. Sept. 17 — 10:34 p.m. Oct. 17 — 7:26 a.m. Nov. 15 — 4:28 p.m. Dec. 15 — 4:02 a.m.