05/31/2026
REMINDER! May 31 is a full Moon, the second full Moon in the month of May. The Blue Moon will be full at 4:46 a.m. as it sets. It will rise again at 9:16 p.m. This is a rare event that only occurs every few years. It’s also where we get the term "once in a blue moon.”
WHAT IS A BLUE MOON? It’s the nickname for either the second full moon in the same month, or the third full moon in a season containing four full moons.
IS THE MOON ACTUALLY BLUE? No, but, it can appear blue if ash or smoke from massive forest fires or volcanic eruptions litter the upper atmosphere.
HOW OFTEN TO THEY OCCUR? They happen about every 2.5 years. That’s where we get the phrase "once in a blue moon" implying something extremely uncommon.
WHEN WILL BE THE NEXT BLUE MOON? It will be fun, the next time this will happen will be on New Year’s Eve 2028.