A guide to the May 2026 blue Moon. - BBC Sky at Night Magazine
The 1st May full Moon means we'll see another full Moon on 31st May, giving us a monthly blue Moon and 13 full Moons in 2026.
www.skyatnightmagazine.comHere are the latest updates on the May 2026 Blue Moon.
Core answer
- A second full Moon in May 2026, commonly called a Blue Moon, is expected on May 31, 2026. This will bring the total full moons in 2026 to 13, instead of the usual 12. The event is a calendar-based Blue Moon, not an actual color change of the Moon.[1][3][5]
Key details and context
- Timing and visibility: The Blue Moon occurs at the end of May, with peak illumination typically around local midnight to pre-dawn hours depending on your time zone. For many observers in Europe (including Zürich) that corresponds to late May 31 local time, though exact peak times can vary by location.[4][6][1]
- Appearance note: Despite the name, a Blue Moon does not literally look blue; the designation comes from the calendar occurrence of two full Moons within one month. The Moon’s color remains that familiar bright-white to pale-gold, unchanged by the Blue Moon label.[5][6]
- Additional context for 2026: May 2026 opens with the Flower Moon on May 1, followed by the Blue Moon on May 31, making 2026 notable for having 13 full Moons in the year. There are other lunar happenings in 2026 (eclipses, micromoons) that skywatchers may track.[3][4]
Viewing tips
- Best practices: To catch the Blue Moon, find a dark location away from city lights, allow your eyes to adapt to darkness (about 20–30 minutes), and watch for the Moon rising after sunset in your time zone. If you’re aiming for photography, use a stable tripod and a telephoto lens to frame the Moon against the night sky.[6][4]
- Nearby sky features: The May 2026 Moon will be among notable lunar events this year, and some sources note it will appear near bright stars such as Antares in certain viewing windows, though exact sky positions depend on your location and time.[2]
What to expect in summaries from outlets
- Several outlets have highlighted May 31, 2026 as a rare calendar Blue Moon and noted that 2026 will host 13 full moons. Times and specific regional visibility are given but can vary by observer location.[1][3][5]
Would you like a concise viewing plan tailored to Zürich (local times, rise/set, and best dates/ticture for photography), or a quick chart of all Moon phase dates for May 2026? I can also pull the exact local peak illumination time for Zürich if you’d like.[6][1]