ASTRO logo
Present

Facts for Kids

The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth's perspective.

main image
Description of image
Explore the internet with AstroSafe
Search safely, manage screen time, and remove ads and inappropriate content with the AstroSafe Browser.
Download
Inside this Article
Neil Armstrong
Atmosphere
Universe
Crescent
Did you know?
πŸŒ• A full moon occurs when the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun's light.
🌍 There are about 12 to 13 full moons each year.
πŸŒ™ A full moon appears every 29.5 days.
🐺 Each month has a special name for its full moon, like the Wolf Moon in January.
πŸ“š Full moons can be so bright that they allow you to read outside at night!
πŸŒπŸŽ‰ Many cultures celebrate festivals during the full moon.
🌊 Full moons create higher tides, called 'spring tides', in the ocean.
πŸ“– The Moon is about 238,855 miles away from Earth.
🌌 Supermoons are larger and brighter full moons that occur when the Moon is closest to Earth.
🐒 Sea turtles often hatch on nights with a full moon!
Show Less
Description of image
Become a Creator with DIY.org
A safe online space featuring over 5,000 challenges to create, explore and learn in.
Learn more
Overview
The full moon is a beautiful sight in the night sky! πŸŒ•

It happens when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, making it look bright and round. There are about 12 to 13 full moons every year, and they usually occur every 29.5 days. 🌍✨ You can see the full moon shining brightly in the sky, and it can be a fun event for stargazing. In some cultures, the full moon is a time for festivals and celebrations. So grab a telescope or your eyes, and let’s learn about the fascinating full moon! πŸŒŒπŸ”­
Read Less
Full Moon and Tides
Did you know that the full moon affects the tides? πŸŒŠπŸ“… The Moon's gravity pulls on Earth's water, causing high and low tides in our oceans! When there’s a full moon or a new moon, we experience higher high tides, called "spring tides." πŸŒŠπŸŒ™ These tides happen because the Sun and the Moon work together to pull on the water! The regular tidal cycle helps sea animals and plants thrive, making our oceans full of life! πŸ¦€πŸŒŠ It’s like a big water dance that happens twice a month!
Read Less
What is a Full Moon?
A full moon happens when the Moon is completely lit up by the Sun's light! πŸŒžπŸŒ› This occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. The Moon doesn’t make its own light; it reflects sunlight. When you see a full moon, it looks like a big, white ball in the night sky! πŸŒ•

There are different names for each month's full moon; for example, January's full moon is called the Wolf Moon. 🐺

Full moons can be very bright and sometimes even make it possible to read outside at night! πŸ“šβœ¨
Read Less
Lunar Phases Explained
The Moon goes through different shapes or phases every month! πŸŒ™βœ¨ These phases include the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days! Each phase shows a different amount of the Moon lit up. πŸŒ—

During the New Moon, we can't see it at all. Then it grows until it's a full moon, and then it shrinks back down! 🌘

It’s like the Moon is playing hide-and-seek with us!
Read Less
Full Moon Myths and Folklore
Many myths and stories surround the full moon! πŸŒ•πŸ¦‰ In some cultures, it’s believed that full moons can cause strange behavior in people, like werewolves! 🐺

Some say that crazy things happen during a full moon β€” that's where we get the term "lunatic," referring to crazy behavior! ✨

In other tales, the full moon is thought to attract magical powers or inspire creativity. πŸŽ¨πŸŒ™ Even scientists study these myths to see if there's any truth! Remember, these stories add charm to our world! 🌈🌌
Read Less
Full Moon's Effect on Wildlife
Did you know the full moon affects animals too? πŸ¦‰πŸ¦ˆ Many creatures are influenced by the moon’s light. For example, sea turtles hatch on full moon nights, using the bright light to find their way to the ocean! 🌊🐒 Also, some birds and insects are more active when the moon is bright because they can find food more easily. πŸ¦‹πŸŒ• For fishermen, the full moon means it's a great time to catch fish! 🎣🌊 Wildlife adapts to the changing light of the full moon, showing how connected nature is to our skies!
Read Less
Supermoon: What You Need to Know
A supermoon is an extra special full moon! πŸŒ•βœ¨ It happens when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, called perigee. When this happens, it can look even bigger and brighter! 🌌

On average, a supermoon can appear about 14% larger than a regular full moon. πŸ“πŸŒ™ Supermoons usually happen 3-4 times a year. The next time you see one, remember to take a moment to enjoy its beauty! πŸŒ™πŸ’– Supermoons remind us how amazing our universe is and how the Moon can surprise us!
Read Less
The Science Behind the Full Moon
Scientifically, the full moon is a fascinating subject! πŸ“–πŸ”¬ The Moon is about 238,855 miles away from Earth, and it takes about 27.3 days to orbit us. πŸŒ’

This means we see the full moon about once a month! The Moon is made of rocks and dust and is the fifth-largest moon in our solar system! 🌌

It has no atmosphere, so you can't breathe there, and it's really cold in the dark! β˜ƒ

️ Scientists use telescopes to study the Moon, helping us learn more about our universe! 🌟

Read Less
Historical Observations of Full Moons
People have been watching full moons for thousands of years! πŸ•°

οΈπŸŒ• Ancient cultures, like the Babylonians and Egyptians, studied the Moon to create calendars. They marked special events based on the full moons! 🌌

In 1969, humans even landed on the Moon for the first time during the Apollo 11 mission! πŸš€

Neil Armstrong and buzz Aldrin took a giant leap for mankind! 🌠

Full moons have been celebrated in art, mythology, and science throughout history, showing how much we love observing the night sky! πŸ–Ό

️
Read Less
Cultural Significance of the Full Moon
The full moon has inspired stories and celebrations around the world! πŸŒπŸŽ‰ In Japan, there’s a festival called Tsukimi, where people enjoy the beauty of the moon and eat special rice dumplings. 🍑

In India, festivals like Diwali celebrate lights and often coincide with full moons! πŸͺ”

Many Native American tribes named full moons based on seasonal events, like the Strawberry Moon in June, which marks a time for berry picking! πŸ“

The full moon helps people connect with nature and is a reminder of the changing seasons.
Read Less
Photography Tips for Capturing a Full Moon
Capturing a full moon can be amazing! πŸ“ΈπŸŒ• First, find a clear spot away from bright city lights for the best view. Using a camera with a zoom lens can help you get great close-up shots. πŸ”­πŸ“· You can also try using a tripod to keep your camera steady. πŸŒ„

Setting your camera to a low ISO helps capture more light! 🌟

Be patient and experiment with different settings. Snap pictures around sunset to blend the beauty of the Moon and the colorful sky. πŸŒ…

Happy photographing! πŸ“Έβœ¨
Read Less

Try your luck with the Full Moon Quiz.

Try this Full Moon quiz and see how many you score!
Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next
Explore More