Ready to see a rare ‘blue micromoon’ peak over Illinois? Here’s when to look
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A rare blue moon will peak at 3:45 a.m. Central Daylight Time on May 31.
- The May 31 full moon is also a micromoon, occurring when the moon is farthest from Earth.
- Belleville observers can see the moon rise at 8:12 p.m. Saturday with partly cloudy skies.
Illinois stargazers can soon see an unusual “blue moon” peak, and the full moon will also be a “micromoon.”
The “blue moon” will not be blue in color, but the celestial event is rare and one hasn’t occurred since August 2024.
Many full moon names, such as the May 1 “flower moon,” are longstanding and come from Indigenous cultures, but the term “blue moon” wasn’t popularized until the 1980s, the Old Farmer’s Almanac reports.
The term “blue moon” has multiple definitions, and can refer to a “seasonal blue moon,” or the third consecutive full moon within a single astronomical season. The definition used for the upcoming blue moon, however, is the second full moon that occurs in a single month.
The blue moon will peak at 3:45 a.m. Central Daylight Time Sunday, May 31, but the moon generally appears full the day before and after its peak illumination. Forbes reports the best time to see the blue moon will be dusk Saturday. The moon will rise over Belleville at 8:12 p.m. Saturday, according to online clock Time and Date.
The National Weather Service St. Louis office forecasts Belleville will see partly cloudy skies Saturday night, with a low temperature around 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
NASA described the May 31 blue moon as one of the “most notable” astronomical events of 2026.
What is a ‘micromoon’?
The upcoming blue moon is also considered a “micromoon.” Micromoons happen when the moon is at its farthest point from earth, the opposite of a supermoon. Micromoons appear slightly smaller and dimmer than typical full moons.
More full moons in 2026
After the blue moon in May, stargazers will have seven more opportunities to see a full moon this year. Here’s when to look, from Astronomy.com:
- Monday, June 29: Strawberry moon
- Wednesday, July 29: Buck moon
- Friday, Aug. 28: Sturgeon moon and partial lunar eclipse
- Saturday, Sept. 26: Corn moon
- Monday, Oct. 26: Hunter’s moon
- Tuesday, Nov. 24: Beaver moon (supermoon)
- Wednesday, Dec. 23: Cold moon (supermoon)
For those interested in stargazing as a group, the St. Louis Astronomical Society will host a family friendly “star party” 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at Crestwood Park in Missouri.
Do you have a question about the weather or the environment in Illinois for the News-Democrat? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
