Skywatchers around the world are preparing to witness a rare celestial event on May 31, commonly known as a “Blue Moon”, one of the most unusual lunar phenomena of the year.
Astronomers said the moon will start appearing full on the night of May 30 and will reach its peak brightness at 3:45am on May 31.
The best time to view the moon will be shortly before sunrise, when it appears low on the western horizon. Although the moon reaches its peak illumination in the early hours of May 31, many people are expected to enjoy the best views on the night before.
Despite its name, the moon will not appear blue. The term “Blue Moon” is used to describe the rarity of the event rather than the moon’s actual color.
Astronomers explain that there are two types of Blue Moons. A monthly Blue Moon is the second full moon that occurs within the same calendar month, while a seasonal Blue Moon is the third full moon in a season that contains four full moons.
This phenomenon occurs only every few years and is part of a cycle that repeats about seven times every 19 years. After the May 2026 event, the next Blue Moons are expected on December 31, 2028, September 30, 2031, July 31, 2034, and January 31, 2037.
