The Moon is an important part of life on Earth, related to multiple events, both good and bad. Throughout History, our ancestors have identified lunar events introducing change to the surroundings on Earth. They did relate the Red Moon as a sign of impending pain, the Blue Moon to increase fertility in young maidens, and the Super Moon leading to natural disasters. But going by the scientific facts, the Earth has only one Moon, then how is it possible for that to change colors and appearance from time to time? Or “Why do we have different types of Moons?”
While some get confused between the phases and the types, both are different. You see eight phases of the Moon, part of a natural cycle, repeating every month. In contrast, you have the types which are rare than the Moon phases and occur under special circumstances. These are visible from specific parts of the world.
What Is A Full Moon?
Just because the types of the Moon appear full, but in different colors, it is important to get a detailed understanding of what a Full Moon is. The full Moon event has the Sun, Earth, and the Moon lined up in straight lines, known as a ‘syzygy.’ You can see the Sunlight reflecting in full focus from the back of the Moon’s hemisphere. Which, from Earth, appears to be a disc of bright light in the night sky.
On the contrary, the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up in order on a New Moon. As a result, we from Earth cannot see the Moon, a new Moon day on Earth.
Why Do We Have Different Types Of Moons?
With Earth only having one Moon, raises the question among people, “How can there be so many types of Moons?” Where it sometimes glows red, the other day, it appears large, and the phenomenon continues.
But as per scientific facts, the Moon does not change its color or shape. The Moon’s position around the Earth or the Sun undergoes alterations at certain levels. And at the end, you have different types of Moons.
Blood Moon
Out of all, the “Blood Moon” has a red glow and is visible during a complete lunar eclipse. During the event, the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun. Thus hiding the Moon from direct Sunlight. At this time, the only ray of light that reaches the lunar surface is from the edges of the Earth’s atmosphere. The molecules of air in the Earth’s atmosphere scatter out the blue light, and the remaining ones reflect on the Moon’s surface with a red glow. Moreover, the haze, pollution, dust, and smoke in the sky make the Moon appear red.
Super Moon
Also known as a Perigean full Moon, a Super Moon appears to be larger than the usual size of a Full Moon in the night sky. It appears to be bigger because of its proximity to Earth. The Moon is a bit close than usual.
Blue Moon
Have you heard of the proverb “Once in a Blue Moon?” Well, no one here is talking about a Moon that turns blue. Instead, the real Blue Moon stands to be something different from the regular. It is the extra full Moon in a season with four full Moons. And it happens once every two and a half years.
Harvest Moon
The Discovery of the Harvest Moon predates electricity, to a time when farmers used to rely on the light of the Moon to cultivate their crops at night. The Harvest Moon is big and bright among the different types of Moons. It happens to occur over the horizon before Autumn.
Month-Wise Names And Meanings Of Different Full Moons
Over time, the Moon has been named by different cultures. This far, you have been learning about the different types of Moons. Below are the popular names of Full Moons according to months.
Wolf Moon
The Wolf Moon resonates with the food scarcity for the wolves and other wildlife in midwinter. Also, this particular Full Moon of January is known as the ice Moon or old Moon.
Snow Moon
North America’s typically cold and snow-laden weather earned the February full Moon this name. The other names include Hunger Moon and Storm Moon.
Worm Moon
Worm Moon is also known by names like Death Moon, chaste Moon, sap Moon, and Crust Moon. The Native Americans named this last full Moon of winter the Worm Moon, owing to the worm trails appearing on the newly thawed grounds.
Pink Moon
This April Moon is named after an early blooming wildflower species by the Native Americans from the North. In other cultures, this is also known as the fish Moon, the egg Moon, and the Sprouting Grass Moon.
Flower Moon
Owing to the abundant varieties of blooms found in May, the Full Moon has been named the flower Moon around this time. Also, the same is known as the milk Moon, corn planting Moon, and the hare Moon.
Strawberry Moon
In North America, June is famous for its strawberry harvest, which also gives the Moon its name. Europeans have also named this Moon the Rose Moon. Other cultures have named it the Hot Moon, marking the beginning of the summer season.
Buck Moon
The Native Americans have named the July Moon the Buck Moon, resonating with the fact that male deers regrow their antlers during this time. Also, some cultures call this Moon the Thunder Moon because of the summer storms.
Sturgeon Moon
The fishing tribe from North America calls August’s full Moon by this name, owing to the Sturgeon species arriving in number during this time. Also, the same is known by the names Gran Moon, Green Corn Moon, and Red Moon.
Full Corn’s Moon
The September Moon rises early and is brighter than the other, helping farmers continue their night harvesting process. This Moon also resonates with the fact that this is when crops are gathered at the end of the summer season.
Hunter Moon
The hunter Moon resonates with hunting down wild foxes and deer that have gained weight during summer and can no longer hide in the open fields. Like the harvest Moon, the hunter Moon is also particularly bright at night, helping hunters knock down prey.
Beaver Moon
Also known as the Frost Moon, there is a stiff area of disagreement with the Beaver Moon. Some facts suggest it to have been named by the Native Americans, while others suggest the name has come from beavers constructing their winter dams.
Cold Moon
The long-lasting December cold has earned the Moon its name. Other names are the Oak Moon and the Long Night Moon.
So that is all, solving the mystery about different types of Moons. This also proves that the change in proximity between the Earth, Moon, and Sun makes all the difference.
