science
Second Full Moon of May Rises Worldwide on May 30
A full moon occurred for the second time in May on Saturday evening, an event that takes place roughly every two to three years. Observers recorded images from multiple continents as the moon appeared near the horizon.
May 31, 3:03 AM·1m read1 source
forbes.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
A full moon rose at dusk on Saturday, May 30, marking the second full moon of the month. The moon reached full phase at 4:45 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 31. The first full moon of May occurred on May 1. The interval between full moons averages 29.5 days, allowing two to fit within a single calendar month on occasion.
As it climbed higher the color shifted toward white. The same moon was the smallest full moon of 2026. It occurred near apogee, placing the moon roughly 50,000 kilometers farther from Earth than during a typical supermoon.
The term "blue moon" most commonly refers to the second full moon in one calendar month. The next such event is scheduled for December 31, 2028. A second definition identifies the third full moon in an astronomical season that contains four. The next seasonal blue moon is expected on May 20, 2027.
A full moon occurs when Earth lies directly between the sun and the moon, fully illuminating the lunar face visible from Earth. The moon reflects sunlight and does not produce its own light. Earth and the moon are tidally locked, so the same lunar hemisphere always faces Earth. The time between full moons is longer than the orbital period because Earth also orbits the sun.
