The Moon in 2024
People gather to watch a Phoenix sunset at Hole in the Rock, unaware that the beautiful moon is rising behind them.
As we journey through 2024, the moon will cycle dependably through its various phases, waxing and waning in the night sky. Each month, the moon reaches a point of fullness, a time when it is fully illuminated by the sun's rays. These full moons offer a chance to connect with the natural rhythms of the universe, to reflect on our own cycles of growth and change, and to be reminded of the beauty and mystery that surrounds us. Below are the dates when the full moon will grace the night sky in the coming year, along with the names given to each one. Keep in mind that for photography, 1-3 days before or after the actual full moon can work out great if you are wanting to capture the moon along with a landscape. You’ll also find dates for lunar eclipses and super moons.
Moon rising with a “family” of rock formations.
Full Moons
• January 25 - Wolf Moon
• February 24 - Snow Moon
• March 25 - Worm Moon
• April 23 - Pink Moon
• May 23 - Flower Moon
• June 21 - Strawberry Moon
• July 21 - Buck Moon
• August 19 - Sturgeon Moon
• September 17 - Harvest Moon
• October 17 - Hunter's Moon
• November 15 - Beaver Moon
• December 15 - Cold Moon
Moon rising with red rock formations
Lunar Eclipses
2024 won’t be a great year for lunar eclipses in North America. While there will be two of them, they’ll be quite subtle and not very noticeable. Fortunately, we have the total solar eclipse on April 8th to make up for that! Most people would not consider either of these eclipses impressive, and I imagine even most photographers will skip the events. However, if you’re curious, you can get a better idea of what the eclipses will look like by clicking on the links.
• March 24-25 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
• September 17 - Partial Lunar Eclipse
Supermoons
This year also won’t be great for Supermoons because, well, NO year is great for supermoons. They are not as great as the media would have you believe. I wrote about why you should ignore the supermoon hype here. That said, 2024 will have two “super” full moons, on September 17th and October 17th.
Moon rising over Moab red rocks and mountains
Those are what I would consider the main moon events in 2024, but of course it is a celestial marvel that can be seen nearly every day of the year, so whether you plan a special outing or not, try to remember to enjoy it whenever possible!
