Blue moon May 2026 – how to see it in the UK and when it is really blue | Science | News

Stargazers who turn their eyes to the sky this weekend may encounter a remarkable sight with an unusual lunar phenomenon that last occurred almost two years ago. In May 2026, two full moons will be seen in the same calendar month.

The second full moon, called a blue moon, will appear on Saturday night, offering stargazers the opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular shows of the year. Although it is usually not blue and appears the same color as an ordinary moon, there are cases when it changes its hue.

This is rare as most months will only have one full moon, with the previous blue moon occurring in August 2024. Astronomy expert Alan Jones from 365 Astronomy explains why this blue moon is notable, when to observe it in the UK and how to get the best view of it: Wales Online reports.

When is the blue moon of May seen?

Alan explained: “The blue moon reaches peak illumination on Sunday the 31st, but the best time for stargazers will be on the evening of Saturday, May 30, when the moon rises shortly after sunset and remains visible throughout the night. It will sit relatively low in the southern sky, so choosing a location with clear views of the eastern and southern horizons, away from tall buildings and trees, will provide the best experience.”

Why is this blue moon special?

“A blue moon is the second full moon in a single calendar month and is something that only happens every two to three years. Despite its name, the moon will not actually appear blue,” the expert said. “This year’s event is also a micromoon, meaning the Moon is near the farthest point from Earth in its orbit. It may appear slightly smaller and fainter than normal, although the difference is slight.”

Why might the moon appear orange or red?

Alan said: “As the Moon rises or sets near the horizon, it can take on orange, amber or reddish hues because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters light in shorter blue wavelengths. The well-known ‘moon illusion’ can also make the Moon appear larger when it is low in the sky, even though its actual size does not change.”

Is the Blue Moon worth observing?

“Full moons are excellent targets for casual observers, families, and beginning astronomers,” Alan said. “A blue moon also conveys a sense of rarity, reflected in the phrase ‘once in a blue moon.’ While not exceptionally rare astronomically, these events still capture people’s imaginations and encourage many of us to look at the night sky.”

Tips for viewing and photographing the moon

“Binoculars are a great way to enhance the view by revealing darker seas and brighter crater areas on the lunar surface,” the expert said. “Smartphones can also capture impressive images when mounted on a tripod and used with manual exposure settings.

“For dramatic moonrise photos, add buildings, trees, or landscape features in the foreground to help show the scale of the moon relative to the horizon. For closer moon photography, a telescope with an aperture of around 80mm or more will provide clear details. Smart telescopes like the Dwarf 3, Seestar S30 or S50, eVscope 2, and Vespera II are also excellent beginner-friendly options for capturing detailed moon images.”

When is a blue moon actually blue?

According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, there are occasions when a blue moon actually appears blue. It read: “Blue moons are not blue! Blue moons remain the same color as other full moons except in two rare cases:

• during a lunar eclipseThe Moon can turn blood red only by being illuminated by the light that is bent around the Earth by its atmosphere and hits the Moon’s face. Since lunar eclipses only occur during full moons, and blue moons are one type of full moon, it is very rare for a blue moon to be red!
• In very rare cases, the Moon may appear blue, but in this case the color may be due to the Moon being seen through a haze created by dust particles in our atmosphere, perhaps due to a recent volcanic eruption. However, when viewed from space, the Moon will appear gray as always!: