According to NASA, an Old English name for the May full moon is the milk moon. In 703 AD, the English monk St. Bede the Venerable wrote that May was known as the "Three-Milkings Month," likely because cows could be milked three times a day during this fertile time of year.

This month's full moon reaches peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. EDT (17:56 GMT) and is known as the 'Flower Moon' to some in North America and Europe owing to the abundant seasonal wildflower blooms that appear during this time of year.

The full moon reached peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. on Monday but it will appear full for several more days. The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for ZIP codes across the U.S. Local forecasts also include detailed information on how clear the night sky will be in various locations.