May’s Blue Micromoon Peaks at 4:45 a.m. ET on May 31
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 25
May’s Blue Micromoon Peaks at 4:45 a.m. ET on May 31
9 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 25
May’s second full moon reaches peak illumination at 4:45 a.m. ET on May 31, creating the rare combination of a blue moon and a micromoon.
A blue moon occurs when one calendar month contains 2 full moons; May already had the Flower Moon on May 1, and the setup happens only about every 2.5 years.
A micromoon means the moon is near its farthest point from Earth—around 251,000 miles away this month—so it can appear slightly smaller than usual.
The full moon will be visible worldwide, weather permitting, and should still look full for a few days before and after the peak.
The last blue moon came on Aug. 19, 2024, as a super blue moon, and the next month with 2 full moons is expected in December 2028.
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The modern 'Blue Moon' term came from a mistake. What was this rare event's original, forgotten definition?