Skywatchers are set to witness a rare celestial event at the end of May 2026 as a second full Moon will appear in the same month — a phenomenon popularly known as a “Blue Moon.”
The first full Moon of the month appeared on May 1, while the second is expected to rise on May 31. According to BBC, this unusual timing means 2026 will have 13 full Moons instead of the usual 12.
While the Moon will not actually turn blue, the event remains one of the most talked-about lunar occurrences because it does not happen very often.
When and Where to watch The Blue Moon this May?
The Blue Moon on May 31 will rise in the eastern sky.
According to the report, it will appear lower in the sky and slightly to the right of the constellation Virgo.
For skywatchers, the event is expected to be one of the most noticeable lunar moments of the year because of its rarity and timing at the very end of the month.
Why Is It Called A Blue Moon?
A Blue Moon refers to the second full Moon that appears within a single calendar month.
This happens because the lunar cycle does not perfectly match the calendar year. A full lunar cycle takes around 29.5 days, which creates a small mismatch over time between lunar months and calendar months.
As a result, some years end up with an extra full Moon.
Why Does A Blue Moon Happen?
The difference comes from how time is measured.
A day is based on Earth rotating on its axis, while a year is measured by Earth completing one orbit around the Sun. Months, however, are connected to the Moon’s orbit around Earth.
Twelve lunar cycles are around 11 days shorter than a calendar year. Because of this gap, an additional full Moon occasionally appears during the year.
That is why May 2026 will witness two full Moons — one at the beginning of the month and another on May 31.
What Was The First Full Moon Of May 2026 Called?
The first full Moon of May 2026 appeared on May 1 and is known as the Flower Moon.
The name is traditionally linked to the spring season, when flowers bloom in many parts of the world.
Since there are nearly 29.5 days between full Moons, another full Moon will rise before May ends, creating the Blue Moon event.
