It refers to the rarity of the celestial event, not the actual colour of the moon.
Skywatchers in the UAE and around the world are set to witness a rare celestial event on May 31, known as a “Blue Moon”, one of the most uncommon lunar phenomena of the year.
Astronomers say the moon will begin appearing full on the night of May 30, reaching its peak illumination at around 3:45am on May 31.
According to Space.com, the best viewing conditions are expected shortly before sunrise in local time zones, when the moon will appear low on the western horizon. Although the astronomical peak occurs in the early hours of the morning, observers are likely to get the clearest views on the night before, as the moon moves closer to full illumination.
Despite its name, the moon will not actually appear blue. The term “Blue Moon” refers to the rarity of the event rather than its colour.
Astronomers describe two types of Blue Moons: a monthly Blue Moon, which is the second full moon occurring within the same calendar month, and a seasonal Blue Moon, which is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons.
The phenomenon occurs only every few years as part of a cycle that repeats roughly seven times every 19 years. Following the May 2026 event, the next Blue Moons are expected on December 31, 2028, September 30, 2031, July 31, 2034, and January 31, 2037.
