One of the most curious phenomena of the lunar cycles is the so-called Blue Moon, which occurs approximately every two and a half years. This event will be registered on May 31.
The full moon in May It will mark the arrival of this phenomenon, which allows two full moons to occur within the same month due to the 29.5-day lunar cycle.
The director of the Institute of Earth Sciences and Astronomy of the Galileo University, Edgar Castro, explained that the so-called Blue Moon is a simple phenomenon that consists of the appearance of two full moons within the same month.
The astronomer highlighted that this phenomenon occurs mainly in months of 31 days, since in these cases the first full moon can be recorded on the first day of the month and repeated at the end of the month.
The Blue Moon phenomenon, added the expert, does not imply that the Moon changes color, but rather refers to the presence of two full moons in a single month.
The May cycle is an example of this. Castro highlighted that the first full moon occurred on May 1 and, after going through the phases of waning quarter, new moon and waxing quarter, a full moon will be recorded again on May 31.
Eleonora Poitevin, president of the Guatemalan Astronomy Association (AGA), told Prensa Libre in a previous note that The second full moon will occur on May 31, at 2:45 a.m.. Castro highlights that this moon will rise on the Eastern Horizon at 7:03 p.m. and will be seen depending on the location seen.
This phenomenon is also rare. Edgar Castro highlighted that the Blue Moon occurs approximately every 30 months, a period in which the lunar cycles coincide with the calendar to produce two full moons in the same month.
NASA’s Space Place portal highlights that this phenomenon is special because it adds an “extra” full moon to a season that normally has four full moons. The term began to become popular in the 1940s.
The calendar of the next full moons of 2026, as well as their denominations according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, is as follows:
- Strawberry Moon: June 29
- Deer Moon: July 29
- Sturgeon Moon: August 28
- Corn Moon: September 26
- Hunter’s Moon: October 26
- Beaver Moon: November 24
- Cold Moon: December 24