You know that saying, ‘Once in a blue moon’? Well, it’s happening, and soon. But, if you’re going to look up, keep your expectations in check, because the moon won’t actually be blue! But it will still be bright and beautiful. It’s called a blue moon because it will be the second full moon in the same month. The last full moon, known as the Flower Moon, took place earlier this month, on Saturday, May 2. And, the next Blue Moon will take place at the very end of the week on Sunday, May 31.
It will also feel pretty special, because it will be a micromoon. The moon this week will be the smallest moon of 2026. It will be about 406km away from the Earth, instead of the average moon distance of around 384km.
What is a Blue Moon?
Blue moons take place about once every two to three years. There are two different types of blue moons: a seasonal one and a monthly one. A seasonal blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in a seasonal period (spring, summer, autumn and winter), instead of the usual three. It’s a bit confusing, but the third full moon during this time is referred to as the blue moon, instead of the fourth, extra moon. The next seasonal blue moon will be on May 20, 2027.
The moon that we are about to experience is the monthly blue moon. This simply refers to the fact that its the second full moon of the month. This definition came about in the 1940s, due to a misinterpretation from amateur astronomer James Hugh Pruett in the Sky & Telescope magazine. The simplified version was spread around as fact, and today, it is accepted as another way to define a blue moon.
Upcoming blue moons:
- May 31, 2026 – monthly blue moon
- May 20, 2027 – seasonal blue moon
- December 31, 2028 – monthly blue moon
How to see the blue moon in Melbourne
Since it is our beloved moon, all you need to do is look up, especially around 6:45pm when it reaches its peak. As it will be a micro full moon, it will appear about 5.9% to 6.9% smaller than an average full moon, or about 12.5% to 14.1% smaller than a supermoon.
To maximise your viewing experience, find somewhere nice and dark, away from the city lights, and with a clear view of the sky. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, and be sure to rug up so you don’t get too cold.
For some great stargazing spots aruond Melbourne and beyond, click here.