Blue Moon 2026: Is it really blue in colour? When and where to watch

Night sky enthusiasts are in for a treat as a rare Blue Moon is about to light up the night sky. This time, a full moon is about to light up the sky this month, creating a ‘Blue Moon’.


But what is it exactly?
And will it actually be blue in colour?

Even though Blue Moons are special but not incredibly rare, they happen roughly every two to three years. Yet seeing one is always a magical experience, especially when you understand the science behind it.


Let’s dig in to find out

What is a Blue Moon?

A Blue Moon is the second full Moon that occurs in a single calendar month. The Moon completes its cycle every 29.5 days, but most months are 30 or 31 days long. When a full moon happens on the 1st or 2nd of the month, there’s enough time for another full moon to appear before the month ends. That’s exactly what’s happening in May 2026. The first full Moon rose on May 1, and the second, the Blue Moon, will occur on May 30.

So, will it actually be blue in colour?

Despite its name, a Blue Moon doesn’t look blue. The name comes purely from timing, that is, an “extra” full moon in a month, not the change in colour. When the Blue Moon rises, it will actually glow orange or reddish, just like a sunset.

This happens because moonlight passes through a thick layer of Earth’s atmosphere near the horizon. Shorter blue wavelengths scatter easily off air molecules, while longer red and orange wavelengths pass through more directly.

Will the ‘Blue Moon’ be visible in India?

Yes, the Blue Moon will be visible to viewers in India. You can spot it on Saturday evening, May 30, during dusk. At moonrise, it will appear large and glowing orange. After a short time, it will turn into its usual bright white as it climbs higher.

The exact moon officially becomes full on Sunday, May 31, at 4:45 AM IST, but the moon will look fully round to the naked eye on Saturday evening. According to EarthSky, the Blue Moon appearing on the 30th and 31st of May will be smaller as it reaches the farthest point from Earth in its orbit.

Why does a Blue Moon occur?

Blue Moons happen roughly once every two to three years, and a mismatch between the lunar cycle of 29.5 days and our calendar months means that occasionally two full moons fall in the same month. This is the only Blue Moon in 2026, and the next monthly Blue Moon after this will be in 2029.