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Rare Blue Micro Moon Will Be Visible Across the UK on May 31

The full moon aligns with lunar apogee, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer.

Overview

  • The event, expected across the UK on Sunday, May 31, is the extra 13th full moon of the year known as a blue moon.
  • It coincides with a micro moon, which happens when the Moon is farthest from Earth at about 250,000 miles, so its disk looks smaller and its light a bit fainter.
  • Despite the name, the Moon will not look blue to most people, with rare haze or dust sometimes giving it a tint.
  • Best views come shortly after sunset from dark-sky sites or any spot with a clear horizon, and binoculars or a zoom lens can reveal more detail.
  • The last blue moon rose in August 2024 according to Royal Greenwich Museums, with the next expected on May 20, 2027 and December 31, 2028.