It’s time for some stargazing tonight (May 31), when we will experience a rare blue moon.

Zululand Observer reports that a blue moon is effectively when we experience two full moons in one month, with the first one starting the month off (May 1) and this one closing it off.

A calendar month is typically 30 to 31 days, while the lunar cycle is 29.5 days long, which means it occasionally fits twice into one month. The moon itself does not turn blue.

A blue moon and a micromoon

According to USA Today, there is something a bit more unique about this one in that it’s a micromoon, when the full moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit. As a result, it can appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.

This weekend’s blue moon should be visible from wherever you are, weather permitting, and is expected to draw interest from photographers and stargazers hoping to capture the event.

Expressions featuring ‘moon’

‘Once in a blue moon’ isn’t the only English expression to include the lunar orb.

We have a long history of connection with this circular feature, which has inspired songs, poetry, culture and day-to-day expressions.

Here’s a look at some of the other lunar expressions in our lexicon:

• Over the moon – Very happy
• Shoot for the moon – Have high ambitions
• Promise you the moon – Promise more than you can deliver
• Howl at the moon – Make an appeal that isn’t likely to change something
• Love you to the moon and back – Love someone a lot
• Many moons ago – A very long time ago
• The moon is made of green cheese – Something is very unlikely
• To moon over someone – To dream about someone

A video on Nasa‘s YouTube channel shows the phase and libration of the moon for 2026, at hourly intervals as viewed from the southern hemisphere.

Watch the video:

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