New York: Stargazers across the world are set to witness a rare celestial event this weekend as a Blue Moon appears in the night sky on May 31, marking the first such occurrence since August 2023.
According to astronomical experts, the full moon will reach peak illumination at approximately 4:45 a.m. ET on Saturday. Despite its name, the moon will not actually appear blue, as the term refers to the timing of the lunar event rather than its colour.
The phenomenon occurs when two full moons appear within the same calendar month, with the second one commonly referred to as a “Blue Moon”.
Astronomers explain that the rarity of the event is linked to the lunar cycle, which lasts around 29 and a half days, while most calendar months contain either 30 or 31 days. As a result, an extra full moon appears only occasionally.
Experts also distinguish between two types of Blue Moons. A seasonal Blue Moon refers to the third full moon in a season containing four full moons, while a calendrical Blue Moon is the second full moon occurring within a single month.
The upcoming lunar event will mark the first time since August 30, 2023 that two full moons have appeared in the same month. Astronomers say the next calendrical Blue Moon is expected in December 2028.
The term “Blue Moon” has long been used in popular culture to describe rare events and originates from historical lunar references documented in publications such as the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Skywatchers are expected to have the best view of the full moon during clear weather conditions late Friday night and early Saturday morning.