Louisiana Could See Rare ‘Blue Micromoon’ This Weekend
LOUISIANA - This weekend might be worth staying up a little later for. A rare “Blue Micromoon” is expected to light up the night sky this weekend, giving sky watchers across Louisiana and the Gulf South a chance to see one of the more unusual lunar events of 2026.
What Is A Blue Micromoon?
First, it’s a “Blue Moon,” which simply means it’s the second full moon to happen in the same calendar month. The first full moon of May happened back on May 1, and this second one arrives on May 31.
The “micromoon” part happens because the moon will be at one of the farthest points in its orbit from Earth. That makes it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than a typical full moon.
Experts say the moon could appear about 6% smaller and roughly 10% dimmer than normal, although most people probably won’t notice a huge difference unless they compare photos side-by-side.
From WWLTV.com -
The upcoming full moon also qualifies as a micromoon because it will occur near the moon’s farthest point from Earth in its orbit. According to the Associated Press, the moon will be approximately 252,360 miles (406,135 kilometers) away from Earth, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than an average full moon.
When Louisiana Residents Can See The Blue Micromoon
The best time to catch the rare full moon in Louisiana will be after sunset on Saturday night, May 30, and again early Sunday morning, May 31.
If skies stay clear across Acadiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Lake Charles, and other parts of the state, you should be able to see the moon rising low in the eastern sky.
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Like most things in Louisiana, weather could end up being the biggest challenge.
Don’t Expect A Bright Blue Moon
A lot of people hear the phrase “Blue Moon” and expect some kind of glowing blue moon hanging over the bayou.
That’s not really how it works.
The term “Blue Moon” has nothing to do with the moon’s color. It’s simply a calendar term tied to how often full moons occur. Actual blue-colored moons are extremely rare and usually only happen after major volcanic eruptions or massive wildfire smoke affects the atmosphere.
Astronomy experts say the bright red star Antares will also appear near the moon during the event.
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That could create a pretty incredible sight for anyone sitting outside near a fire pit, fishing camp, or backyard patio across Louisiana.
When Will The Next Blue Moon Happen?
If you miss this weekend’s lunar event, you’ll be waiting a while for the next Blue Moon. Astronomy experts say the next monthly Blue Moon won’t happen again until late 2028. So if Louisiana skies cooperate this weekend, it may be worth stepping outside for a few minutes and looking up.