Overview
- The second full moon in May reached peak fullness at about 4:45 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 31, making it a calendar 'blue moon' and giving observers late-night viewing opportunities.
- NASA measured the Moon at roughly 252,334 miles (about 406,093 km) from Earth and described it as the year’s farthest, smallest and dimmest full moon.
- Because the Moon was near apogee this full phase, astronomers say it appeared about 6–7% smaller and roughly 10% dimmer than an average full moon, a difference that is subtle to the unaided eye.
- Skywatchers were advised to check local moonrise times and weather, watch the Moon at horizon rise for dramatic color and size effects, and use live streams or basic photography tips to capture the event.
- Calendar context: monthly blue moons occur about every two to three years, the next calendar blue moon is Dec. 31, 2028, and the next time a blue moon will also be a micromoon is not expected until 2053.