WASHINGTON — The second full moon in May will be Rare blue micro moon Visible Sunday morning. Here’s what you need to know so you don’t miss out.
Why is it called Blue Moon?
Ever heard the phrase “once-in-a-lifetime”? A “Blue Moon” is when two full moons occur within the same calendar month. Despite its name, the moon does not appear blue.
The second full moon in May will also be a micromoon. This time, the name truly reflects how it looks in the sky – appearing much smaller than usual.
It qualifies as a micromoon because it occurs near the farthest point from Earth in the moon’s orbit. according to Associated Pressthe Moon is approximately 252,360 miles (406,135 kilometers) from Earth, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than an average full moon.
Astronomers say the difference may be difficult for the average observer to notice, but it does appear to be small.
The full moon will peak around 4:45 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 31.
Also keep an eye out for these celestial shows:
Bright star Antares will shine in Sunday’s celestial triad.
This weekend’s skywatching event also includes benefits for astronomy enthusiasts. The bright red star Antares, often called the “heart of the scorpion” because of its location in the constellation Scorpius, will appear near the moon throughout the night.
According to NASA, Antares is a red supergiant star about 550 light-years away from Earth. One light year is equivalent to nearly 6 trillion miles.
When is the next full moon?
June’s full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, will reportedly appear just before 8 p.m. ET on June 29 Space Network.
NASA says such almanacs attribute June’s “Strawberry Moon” to the Algonquian tribe in what is now the northeastern United States. The name refers to the time of year when fresh berries are harvested. According to reports, Europeans call it the “Rose Moon” while other cultures call it “Thermidor” to signify the beginning of summer heat. Royal Museum Greenwich.
Despite its fruity nickname, the moon will appear its usual silvery color. But it will appear larger and brighter than usual.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
