This Sunday morning, residents across the nation will have the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event: a blue micromoon. This phenomenon occurs when a full moon appears twice within the same calendar month. Despite its name, the moon will not appear blue.

Adding to the spectacle, this blue moon is also a micromoon, meaning it will appear smaller than usual due to its position at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth. At approximately 252,360 miles away, the moon will be slightly smaller and dimmer than an average full moon, though the difference may be subtle to casual observers.

Antares Joins the Celestial Show

In addition to the blue micromoon, the bright red star Antares will be visible near the moon throughout the night. Known as the ‘heart of the scorpion’ due to its position in the constellation Scorpius, Antares is a red supergiant star located roughly 550 light-years from Earth. This celestial alignment offers a unique viewing experience for astronomy enthusiasts.

The full moon will reach its peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, around 4:45 a.m. ET. Those interested in observing this rare event should plan to look up early in the morning for the best view.

Looking Ahead: June’s Strawberry Moon

For those who miss this weekend’s event, the next full moon, known as the strawberry moon, will occur on June 29. This name, attributed to the Algonquin tribes of the northeastern U.S., marks the time of year when strawberries are harvested. Despite its name, the moon will maintain its usual silvery-white appearance but will appear larger and brighter than usual.

Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.