Here’s when to see a ‘flower’ moon and a rare blue moon peak over Illinois soon
May will bring two full moons to Illinois stargazers, making the month’s second full moon a “blue moon.”
The “blue moon” will not be blue in color, but the celestial event is rare and one hasn’t occurred since August 2024.
May’s first full moon, the flower moon, gets its name from the spring blooms North America sees throughout the month. The Old Farmer’s Almanac reports the name “flower moon” has been attributed to Algonquin peoples.
Full moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.
The flower moon will peak at 12:23 p.m. CDT Friday, May 1. The sun will set over Belleville at 7:51 p.m. that day, according to online clock Time and Date.
After the flower moon, May’s second full moon will occur Sunday, May 31. It will be not only a blue moon but also 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.
“Having two full moons in one month is the result of the moon’s cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days,” AccuWeather reports. “Because that cycle does not align perfectly with the length of calendar months, there are occasional instances when a month begins with a full moon and ends with another.”
The blue moon will peak at 3:45 a.m. May 31, but the best viewing time will be early morning May 31 or the night of May 30, according to AccuWeather.
NASA described the May 31 blue moon as one of the “most notable” astronomical events of 2026.
More full moons in 2026
After the flower moon and 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 looking to stargaze as a group, the St. Louis Astronomical Society will host a stargazing event 8:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at Stacy Park in Olivette, Missouri.
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