Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsScienceSpaceTonight's blue micromoon won't happen again until 2053. Here's how to see itThe term refers to a twice-in-a-month full moon, with the "micro" part meaning it's far away and looks smallerLast updated 25 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Earthset captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon. Our view this weekend will be in the other direction. Photo by NASA /Getty ImagesAstronomy is full of misnomers. The blue micromoon of May 30 will not be blue. Nor will it be particularly “micro” in size. It will, however, be the moon. Here’s what to know.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThere are two types of so-called blue moon. The older definition refers to the third full moon in a season that has four (rather than the usual three) full moons.The newer and more common use of the term refers to the second full moon in a month. It dates back to an error in a 1946 edition of Sky & Telescope magazine, a publication you’d think would know better.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThough the moon’s actual size never changes, its apparent size varies depending on where it is in its orbit when it’s fully illuminated.A micromoon is at its apogee, or farthest point from Earth, about 407,000 kms away. A supermoon, in comparison, is at perigee, just 357,000 kms away. The difference between the two is about 14 per cent in size, and 30 per cent in brightness.Not really. However, in 1883 the volcano Krakatoa erupted and spread ash high into the atmosphere, filtering the light of the moon and turning it a somewhat blue-green hue.More recent, though smaller, volcanic eruptions such as the 1983 eruption of El Chichon in Mexico and the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and Mount Pinatubo in 1991 have caused similar effects.The phrase “once in a blue moon” refers to something very rare, but blue moons aren’t super-rare, averaging out to one every 33 months, or 41 times in a century.That said, 2018 had a rare “double blue moon,” with a blue moon in January and another in March, plus no full moon in February — a so-called “black moon.” The next time that happens will be in 2037.Seasonal blue moons are a little rarer, but they still happen every two to three years on average.The next seasonal blue moon will be on May 20, 2027. The next twice-in-one-month blue moon will take place on New Year’s Eve, 2028. The next micro full moon is just a month away; June 29.But the blue-micro combination won’t happen again until 2053.This is the easy part. The full moon will rise shortly after sunset on the evening of May 30, and it will be up all night. All you need are clear skies. As an added bonus, the bright star Arcturus will be just to one side of the full moon. It’s red. Honest! Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.