May 31 2026 Blue Moon: Micromoon Near Antares

Blue Moons are the second full Moon in a calendar month; the term does not indicate a colour change. Micromoons occur when a full Moon coincides with apogee, the Moon’s farthest orbital point.

Louisville Courier-JournalThis weekend's Blue Moon is a rare coincidence that shows how wonderful the mechanics of our Solar System really areRare Blue Moon to appear in sky on May 31, 2026Clarion LedgerBlue Moon, 4 planets to shine during the final weekend of MayA genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of ScWGAL - Lancaster News

On 31 May 2026 the second full Moon of the month reaches peak illumination, creating a calendrical “Blue Moon.” The Moon is at apogee, making it a micromoon, and passes within a few degrees of Antares, the bright red supergiant in Scorpius. Earlier, on 26 May the waxing gibbous Moon will appear near Spica in Virgo.

A genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of ScThis weekend's Blue Moon is a rare coincidence that shows how wonderful the mechanics of our Solar System really areLouisville Courier-JournalRare Blue Moon to appear in sky on May 31, 2026Blue Moon alert: A rare full moon will glow orange after sunset this week — Here’s the best time to watchClarion Ledger

1 May 2026: First full Moon (“Flower Moon”).

Rare Blue Moon to appear in sky on May 31, 2026WalesOnlineA genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of ScLouisville Courier-JournalThis weekend's Blue Moon is a rare coincidence that shows how wonderful the mechanics of our Solar System really areWGAL - Lancaster NewsClarion LedgerManchester Evening News

26 May ~8 p.m.: Moon 83 % illuminated, 40° above southern horizon near Spica.

Space.com

30 May after sunset: Moon rises low in the southeast, optimal viewing.

Blue Moon alert: A rare full moon will glow orange after sunset this week — Here’s the best time to watch

31 May 08:45 UTC (3:45 a.m. CDT): peak illumination, apogee distance 406 366 km (?252 504 mi), making the disk up to 14 % smaller than a supermoon. Peak brightness 97-99 % of a full Moon.

This weekend's Blue Moon is a rare coincidence that shows how wonderful the mechanics of our Solar System really are

Spica’s binary stars emit over 12 000 times the Sun’s luminosity. The May 31 micromoon’s distance of 406 366 km makes its apparent diameter about 14 % smaller than a supermoon. Peak illumination reaches 97-99 % of full-Moon brightness.

A genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of Sc

The alignment of a Blue Moon, micromoon, and Antares occurs roughly every 30 months for the lunar phase and only a few times per decade for the star proximity, making it a rare outreach moment. Astronomers note the term “Blue Moon” is a misnomer; the Moon never turns blue.

Louisville Courier-JournalThis weekend's Blue Moon is a rare coincidence that shows how wonderful the mechanics of our Solar System really areA genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of ScClarion LedgerBlue Moon alert: A rare full moon will glow orange after sunset this week — Here’s the best time to watchWGAL - Lancaster NewsRare Blue Moon to appear in sky on May 31, 2026

NASA states Blue Moons appear once every two to three years. EarthSky confirms the May 31 micromoon will be the most distant full Moon of 2026. The Old Farmer’s Almanac defines a calendar Blue Moon as the second full Moon in a month. Local forecasts: Quad Cities clear skies after 8:40 p.m. Saturday; Kentucky sunny with peak at 4:45 a.m. EDT; Mississippi moonrise 7:52 p.m.; United Kingdom moonrise ~9 p.m. Saturday, ~10 p.m. Sunday.

Clarion LedgerLouisville Courier-JournalRare Blue Moon to appear in sky on May 31, 2026WalesOnlineThis weekend's Blue Moon is a rare coincidence that shows how wonderful the mechanics of our Solar System really areManchester Evening NewsA genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of Sc

U.S. outlets give peak illumination at 3:45 a.m. CDT (08:45 UTC) while UK sources list 9:45 a.m. local; both refer to the same universal moment.

Louisville Courier-Journal

• “The name itself, on the available etymological record, has nothing structural to do with the Moon’s color.” — SpaceDaily

A genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of Sc

• “The Moon will not, despite the name, actually appear blue.” — SpaceDaily

A genuine "once in a blue moon" event arrives this Sunday, May 31 — the only monthly Blue Moon between now and the very end of 2028 — and this one will pass right next to the bright orange heart of Sc

• “Antares is often called the “heart of the scorpion” because of its reddish glow and central position in the constellation.” — SpaceDaily

Blue Moon alert: A rare full moon will glow orange after sunset this week — Here’s the best time to watch

• “The phrase "once in a blue moon" is used to describe something that happens rarely, and the astronomy behind it holds up.” — AccuWeather

Blue Moon, 4 planets to shine during the final weekend of May

The next monthly Blue Moon will be on 31 December 2028. After May 31, Venus and Jupiter will converge in the west, while Mars and Saturn appear in the east before sunrise; a Venus-Jupiter conjunction is expected 9 June 2026.

Look up: Rare Blue Moon and 4 planets will shine across the sky at the end of May