May’s Rare Blue Moon: What Is It and How to See It This Weekend
Summary
A rare full moon called a "monthly blue moon" will appear on May 31. This happens when two full moons occur in the same month, a natural event that happens every two to three years.Key Facts
- The blue moon will be full on May 31 at 4:45 a.m. Eastern Time.
- It is called a monthly blue moon because it is the second full moon in May.
- The moon will not appear blue; it often looks orange when rising near the horizon.
- The orange color is due to the moon’s light passing through more atmosphere, scattering blue light.
- The moon will be a "micromoon," meaning it is at its farthest point from Earth, so it will appear smaller.
- No telescope is needed to see the blue moon; the naked eye or binoculars work well.
- Blue moons occur because the lunar cycle (29.5 days) does not perfectly fit into the calendar year.
- The next similar blue moon events will happen in May 2027 and December 2028.
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