A Blue Moon is set to rise on May 31, the second full moon of the month. This rare event is a must-see for stargazers. You don't have to be an astronomy expert to appreciate the beauty of this phenomenon. The Blue Moon will be visible in the southeastern horizon, and it's best to find an unobstructed view to fully appreciate its beauty.

The moon will pass through several constellations leading up to the Blue Moon, including Virgo and Scorpius. On May 26 and 27, the 84%-lit waxing gibbous moon will move eastward into Virgo, heading toward the bright star Spica. By Tuesday night, it will be 90%-lit and will have left Spica behind. It won't be long before the moon reaches its fullest point.

On May 29, a 98%-lit, nearly full moon will blaze in the eastern sky during twilight, with Antares, the brightest star in the summer constellation Scorpius, easily visible below it about two hours after sunset. The full moon will officially occur early on May 31, making it a Blue Moon - a calendrical quirk rather than a change in color. It's not that the moon actually changes color, it's just a rare occurrence.

Full moons typically occur once every 29.5 days, but occasionally the timing allows two to fall within a single calendar month. That's the case in May 2026, with a full Moon on May 1 and another on May 31. Despite the name, a Blue Moon looks no different from any other full moon. The real interest lies in its rarity and timing, as it doesn't happen often.

While the Moon dominates the sky, don't miss the ongoing approach of Venus and Jupiter in the west after sunset. Venus shines brilliantly low on the horizon, with Jupiter above it. Each evening, the gap between them shrinks slightly. This slow convergence is easy to track with the naked eye over several nights. It will culminate in a striking close pairing on June 9, which won't be hard to spot.

The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, you can consult online planetariums like Stellarium. You can also use mobile apps to track the movement of the moon and planets. They're a great tool for anyone interested in astronomy.

In the weeks ahead, there are several celestial events to look forward to. On June 1-3, the full moon will rise later each evening, clearing darker skies after sunset. On June 5, Venus will reach its highest point in the evening sky for the year. From June 9-11, Venus and Jupiter will form a striking conjunction low in the west after sunset, appearing unusually close together. They're sure to be a sight to see.

Around June 14-16, a New Supermoon - the biggest of the year - will herald a short, but valuable dark-sky window. This window won't last long, so it's best to make the most of it. It will be followed by Mercury reaching greatest elongation on June 16, making it briefly visible after sunset. These events are a reminder that the night sky is full of wonders waiting to be explored. They're a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the night sky.

  • The Blue Moon will occur on May 31
  • The full moon will be visible in the southeastern horizon
  • Venus and Jupiter will form a striking conjunction on June 9
  • A New Supermoon will occur on June 14-16
  • Mercury will reach greatest elongation on June 16