Mississippi to witness rare Blue Moon and Eta Aquarids meteor shower in May 2026

4 articles · Updated · Clarion Ledger · Apr 28

The Blue Moon will peak at 3:45 a.m. on May 31, while the Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks May 5-6, with up to 30 meteors per hour visible before dawn.
The Flower Moon appears May 1, and the Eta Aquarids, caused by Halley’s Comet debris, are best viewed in dark, rural areas between midnight and sunrise.
The Blue Moon will be a micro full moon, appearing smaller than usual, and both events offer rare skywatching opportunities for Mississippi residents, with optimal meteor viewing before moonlight brightens.

Can a bright moon improve a meteor shower by revealing only the most spectacular fireballs?

With moonlight spoiling the meteor shower, is a rare dwarf planet occultation the month's real main event?

Why will May's Flower Moon look huge on the horizon if it's actually a smaller 'micromoon'?

As light pollution increases 10% annually, what can communities do to save their night skies?

What is the cultural cost of our growing disconnect from the night sky's natural rhythms?

How did ancient cultures interpret Halley's Comet before its scientific discovery?