Micro Blue Moon on Visakha Bucha: Not a Blue Colored Moon

Thairath•Society•2h ago

Reader Briefing

The "Micro Blue Moon" occurring on May 31, 2026, coinciding with Visakha Bucha, is clarified by NARIT as the second full moon of the month and happening when the moon is furthest from Earth, not a moon with a blue hue.

•The 'Micro Blue Moon' is occurring on May 31, 2026, which is Visakha Bucha day.
•NARIT clarifies that 'Blue Moon' astronomically refers to the second full moon in a calendar month, not a moon that appears blue.
•This specific full moon is also a 'Micro Full Moon' because the moon is at its furthest point from Earth in its orbit.
•The event on May 31, 2026, will feature a full moon that appears slightly smaller than usual, with its normal color.

Overview

•On May 31, 2026, a 'Micro Blue Moon' event will occur.
•NARIT stated that a 'Blue Moon' is the second full moon of a month, not a blue-colored moon.
•The month's calendar length (30-31 days) compared to the moon's orbit (approx. 29.5 days) can lead to two full moons in one month, resulting in a Blue Moon.
•This Blue Moon coincides with the moon being at its furthest point from Earth, termed a 'Micro Full Moon', thus creating the 'Micro Blue Moon' phenomenon.
•The term 'Blue Moon' is also linked to the English idiom 'Once in a blue moon', signifying rarity.
•Spectators will observe a full moon on May 31, 2026, that appears slightly smaller than normal.
•NARIT emphasized that the 'Micro Blue Moon' is not blue in color but its standard lunar hue.
•The 'Micro Blue Moon' event on May 31, 2026, occurs on Visakha Bucha day.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

NARIT

"Reiterating, a Blue Moon (Blue Moon) does not mean a blue-colored moon. Astronomically, a Blue Moon means the second full moon of the month."

ย้ำอีกครั้ง บลูมูน (Blue Moon) ไม่ได้หมายถึงดวงจันทร์สีน้ำเงิน ในทางดาราศาสตร์แล้ว บลูมูน หมายถึงดวงจันทร์เต็มดวงครั้งที่ 2 ของเดือน

NARIT

"In summary, what will we see on this Visakha Bucha night? We will see a full moon that appears slightly smaller than normal, and it will be its usual color, not blue at all."

สรุปว่าเราจะเห็นอะไรในค่ำคืนแห่งวิสาขบูชานี้? เราจะเห็นดวงจันทร์เต็มดวงมีขนาดปรากฏเล็กกว่าปกติเล็กน้อยเท่านั้น และเป็นสีเดิม ไม่ใช่สีน้ำเงินแต่อย่างใด

Key Entities

Organization

NARIT National Astronomical Research Institute(NARIT สถาบันวิจัยดาราศาสตร์แห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) issued a clarification regarding the 'Micro Blue Moon' phenomenon.