Humans are constantly inventing new types of moons based on their visibility, color, size, and so on. The moon's varying positions and visibility from Earth lead to different names being used to describe these phases. We have supermoons, strawberry moons, sturgeon moons, and many more.
In this article we are going to explain to you what are the different types of moons that exist, their characteristics and why they have been given that name.
types of moons
superluna
When a full moon appears and is closer to Earth, we call it a supermoon. This is because the moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, so sometimes it is closer to Earth and other times it is farther away.
The point at which the Moon is farthest from Earth is called apogee and is approximately 400.000 kilometers away. Conversely, during a supermoon, the closest point, called perigee, is 350.000 meters away.
The moon passes through them every lunar cycle (ie every 28 days). The average distance from Earth to the Moon (often used to refer to us) is 384.400 km.
Sometimes this can happen, as we've seen in this article, that the type of moon occurs during a full moon, and if a supermoon phenomenon also happens at the same time, we can combine the two concepts, for example: super blood moon, super harvest moon, etc. The next super full moon will occur on August 31, 2023. To learn more about the significance of these phenomena, you can consult the article on astronomical events and also on astronomy.
blue Moon
The second full moon that occurs in the same month is called a blue moon. This event happens approximately every two and a half years. The next blue moon will occur on August 31, 2023, which will be the second full moon of the month (and a supermoon, given its proximity).
blood moon or red moon
A blood moon, also known as a red moon, occurs when a lunar eclipse occurs. When the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, sometimes the dark surface inside the eclipse will be barely visible, casting a reddish shadow. This is a product of reflected light from our planet.
wolf moon
The first full moon of the year is known as the Wolf Moon. It is believed to have received its name because wolves are more easily heard howling at this time of year. This moon is also known as the Frost Moon and the Cold Moon. To understand more about the characteristics of celestial bodies, you can read about what a celestial body is and also about the types of lithospheric plates.
Snow moon
It's easy to imagine that this is a full moon in the middle of winter (in the Northern Hemisphere), following the Wolf Moon. The Wolf Moon is a term used by North American tribes to refer to a time of year with more snow. Sometimes, they also refer to this moon as the Hunger Moon due to the scarcity of food and game.
worm moon
This moon with such an unusual name derives from the resurrection of earthworms, naturally at the end of winter, hence its association with the moon that marks the end of winter. The origin of its name also appears to come from a Native American tribe. This moon is also known as the "Sugar Moon" because it coincides with the Canadian maple syrup harvest. For more information on the topic of the seasons, visit the article on the solar calendar.
In the northern hemisphere, it usually occurs in March, close to the vernal equinox.
pink moon
We call the full moon the pink moon, which usually occurs in April and is named for the color of the first flowers that appear in spring.
flower moon
Its name comes from the moment when a hundred flowers bloom and they do so in spring. Usually a full moon in May.
strawberry moon
A strawberry moon occurs when a full moon coincides with the beginning of summer in one hemisphere and winter in the other. Therefore, the two phenomena must coincide, although many colloquially refer to this moon as the June moon or the early summer moon.
It got its name from the Indigenous peoples of North America, as it signified the beginning of the strawberry harvest in the first month of summer. It is also known as the Strawberry Moon or the Rose Moon; in some cultures, it marks the start of the rose harvest. The Strawberry Moon we are describing is an event that occurs approximately every 50 years. The next Strawberry Moon will occur on June 22, 2062.
deer moon
This is the summer moon, usually the full moon in July, so named because animals grow horns at this time.
sturgeon moon
The full moon, which usually falls in August, has been called the Moon since ancient times, as some residents near the Great Lakes knew it was the time when sturgeon spawned. For a deeper understanding, you can read about the planetary system and also about Saturn's rings.
harvest moon
It is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, which, as its name suggests, marks the harvest of most traditional crops. The full moon usually occurs in September, but it happens approximately every three years in October. It is also known as the Corn Moon.
hunter moon
The Full Moon occurs after the Harvest Moon, and therefore after the Autumnal Equinox (in the Northern Hemisphere). It usually occurs in October, but can also occur in November. It is called the "Hunter's Moon" because it occurs at a time auspicious for hunting, which is also traditionally used to store food for the winter.
beaver moon
The November Full Moon, or the one following the Hunter's Moon, is when beavers are actively preparing for winter. This is also because beavers are hunted during this moon for their fur, which helps them cope with the winter cold. This moon may also be called the Frost Moon or the Ice Moon.
cold moon
This is the December moon, or the moon closest to the winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere). The moon marks the beginning of winter in that hemisphere.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the different types of moons that exist and their characteristics.