Skywatchers are in for a rare celestial event this weekend as a Blue Micromoon lights up the night sky. The event combines two lunar occurrences in a single full moon.

A "Blue Moon" refers to the second full moon in a calendar month, while a "Micromoon" happens when the Moon reaches full phase near apogee, the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, Science Alert reported. Together, the result is the smallest and most distant-looking full moon of the year.

The upcoming full moon will peak at 8:45 UTC on May 31, 2026. At that time, the Moon will be about 252,360 miles from Earth, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than a typical full moon. Astronomers say the difference is subtle, with the Moon appearing roughly 6% smaller and 10% dimmer than average.

Blue Moons typically occur once every two or three years because the lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days, which does not perfectly align with calendar months. 

What to ExpectDespite its name, the moon will not appear turquoise or sapphire. It looks like a standard pale white or golden-orange moon depending on where it sits on the horizon.

The moon will appear roughly 10% dimmer and about 5% to 10% smaller in diameter compared to a typical full moon and up to 14% smaller than a "supermoon."

Source:Ndtv