A rare blue micromoon is set to grace our skies this weekend, and it won’t return until late 2028. This event combines a “blue moon”—the second full moon in a month—with a micromoon, which appears smaller and farther away.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon will shine near Antares, a bright star in the Scorpius constellation. In parts of the Southern Hemisphere, people may see the moon pass in front of Antares, causing it to briefly disappear. This celestial dance is particularly exciting for stargazers in countries like Argentina, New Zealand, and eastern Australia.
A blue moon happens every two to three years, making it a special sight when it does occur. The first full moon of May was on the 1st, and this blue micromoon will be the second. Interestingly, despite its name, it won’t have a blue hue; it merely indicates its rarity.
Because the moon’s orbit isn’t perfectly circular, this micromoon will appear about 6% smaller and 10% dimmer than an average full moon, making it easy to overlook. Gianluca Masi from the Virtual Telescope Project noted that “the differences are subtle enough to likely go unnoticed by most observers.” However, stargazers can catch a live stream of the event online.
Antares, which is about 550 light-years away, is known as the “heart of the scorpion.” That’s a massive distance—1 light-year is about 6 trillion miles! While observers in certain regions will see the moon covering Antares, many others will only see the moon alongside the star.
Skywatching continues to capture people’s imaginations. Recent surveys show that more people are engaging in astronomy-related activities, especially during special events like this. This enthusiasm is amplified on social media, with hashtags trending as users share photos and experiences.
So, whether you’re an avid astronomer or just curious about the night sky, this blue micromoon offers a perfect opportunity to look up and enjoy a unique astronomical event. For more details about the phenomenon, check out this EarthSky article.
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Moon, Space
