in News
A Blue Moon, the second full moon of May, will be best seen rising on May 30.(Image credit: Alan Dyer/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images)Share this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleSubscribe to our newsletter
Stargazers are in for a remarkable event this month: a Blue Moon that is also a “micromoon.” This signifies the first occurrence of two full moons within the same calendar month since August 2023. Appearing in the early morning hours of May 31, precisely 29.5 days after May 1’s full Flower Moon, it will also be the year’s smallest full moon.
May’s extraordinary Blue Moon will reach its peak fullness at 4:45 a.m. on May 31. Nevertheless, the prime viewing opportunity to witness its ascent will be at twilight on May 30. The designation of “Blue Moon” is unrelated to its actual color; for those in North America, it will present as a warm orange hue in the southeast, not blue, due to a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering.
Rather, the term “Blue Moon” denotes two distinct categories of full moons. Astronomers classify a seasonal Blue Moon as the third full moon among four within the same astronomical season. However, the alternative and more widely recognized definition of a Blue Moon is when two full moons transpire within a single calendar month — precisely the situation occurring this month.
As per Time and Date.com, the subsequent monthly Blue Moon is scheduled for December 31, 2028, while the next seasonal Blue Moon is anticipated on May 20, 2027. Each variety of Blue Moon occurs approximately every two and a half years.
May’s Blue Moon will concurrently be a “micromoon,” occurring when the moon is positioned at its furthest orbital distance from Earth. The moon follows a slightly elliptical path around our planet, resulting in two monthly junctures where it is nearest (perigee) and furthest (apogee) from us. The moon is slated to reach apogee at 12:32 a.m. EDT on June 1, less than 24 hours after achieving full phase, according to AstroPixels.
At a distance of 252,506 miles (406,369 kilometers) from Earth, it will represent the year’s most remote full moon. May 1’s Flower Moon and June 29’s Strawberry Moon are also classified as micromoons, appearing roughly 7% smaller than the typical full moon.
The antithesis of a micromoon is a supermoon, which occurs when a full moon aligns closely with perigee. In the year 2026, supermoons are projected to occur on November 24 and December 23, according to NASA.
As the Blue Moon ascends into the dimming sky on May 30, observers will notice a brilliant star situated below it. This red supergiant, identified as Antares, resides approximately 550 light-years away and stands as the most luminous star within the constellation Scorpius.
How knowledgeable are you about the moon? Put your lunar expertise to the test with our moon quiz!
Sourse: www.livescience.com
