Rare ‘Blue Micromoon’ to Light Up Skies This Week
Skywatchers around the world will get a rare lunar double feature on May 30-31, 2026, when a Blue Moon coincides with the year’s most distant full moon, also known as a micromoon.
According to astronomical tracking data from EarthSky and Time and Date, the full moon will reach peak illumination at 8:45 UTC on May 31. Because of time-zone differences, viewers in the Americas, Europe and Africa will see the moon at its fullest on the night of May 30, while observers in Asia and Australia will see it on May 31.
The event is drawing attention because it combines two relatively uncommon lunar phenomena: a calendar Blue Moon and a micromoon.
The best time to catch a glimpse of the Blue Micromoon will depend on where you’re located.
Why the Micromoon Is Smaller
According to Time and Date, a micromoon can be a full moon or a new moon that occurs with the moon’s apogee, when it is at its furthest point from Earth. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is elliptical, the distance fluctuates. When the moon is at perigee (closest), it is about 223,694 miles from Earth. During this time, a full moon can appear as a supermoon. At apogee, it is over 251,665 miles from our planet and appears as the micromoon.
For eager night sky viewers, the micromoon may look smaller when compared to a supermoon. According to Time and Date, the micromoon appears about 12.5 percent to 14.1 percent smaller than a super full moon and about 5.9 percent to 6.9 percent smaller than the average full moon. It will still be big and bright enough in the sky that you’ll be able to see it with the naked eye.
Micromoons can appear several times a year, unlike Blue Moons, which can occur every few years. According to EarthSky, it’s looking like the June 2026 Strawberry Moon will also be a micromoon, and we could have three micromoons in a row.
How Does the Micromoon Impact Tides?
Whether supermoon or micromoon, our natural satellite can still impact the tides. According to Time and Date, the full moon and the new moon can have the greatest impact on the tides. These tidal events are called spring tides, and when they are extreme, called King tides.
During a micromoon, the spring tide can see a variation of about 2 inches less than a typical full moon. This has been called an apogean spring tide.
What Is a Blue Moon?
Despite the name, a Blue Moon usually does not appear blue.
In modern astronomy usage, a Blue Moon refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month. May 2026 contains two full moons: the Flower Moon on May 1 and another full moon on May 31, making the latter a Blue Moon.
Blue Moons occur roughly once every two to three years because the lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, occasionally allowing two full moons to fit into one month.
Why This Full Moon Is Also a Micromoon
The May 31 full moon will also be a micromoon, meaning the moon will be near apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its orbit.
Astronomical data shows the moon will be about 406,135 kilometers (252,361 miles) from Earth during the event, making it the most distant full moon of 2026.
Because of the increased distance, the moon may appear slightly smaller and dimmer than an average full moon, although the difference is difficult to notice with the naked eye. Astronomers estimate a micromoon can appear roughly 6% to 7% smaller than a typical full moon.
Will the Moon Actually Look Blue?
Most Blue Moons are not blue in color.
However, the moon can occasionally appear bluish after major volcanic eruptions or large wildfires. Tiny particles in the atmosphere can scatter red wavelengths of light, creating a blue tint. One of the most famous examples followed the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.
What Else Skywatchers May See
Astronomy observers may also spot the bright red star Antares near the moon during the event. Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is expected to appear close to the full moon across several regions.
The moon will be visible without special equipment, though darker skies away from city lights will provide better viewing conditions for nearby stars and astrophotography.
When Is the Next Blue Moon?
The next calendar Blue Moon after May 2026 is expected on Dec. 31, 2028, according to astronomical forecasts.
The May 2026 event stands out because it combines a Blue Moon with the year’s farthest full moon, making it one of the most unusual lunar events visible to the public this year.
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