When is the next blue supermoon?
The next blue supermoon depends on both full moon timing and time zone. A blue supermoon is exceptionally rare: it occurs when a supermoon (year’s closest full Moon) coincides with a blue moon (second full Moon in a calendar month). As of 2026, the most recent blue supermoon was in August 2023. The next one is projected for May 2026, subject to exact full Moon time and your time zone. Exact dates shift by year because the lunar cycle (29.5 days) does not align neatly with calendar months, and supermoon years vary with the Moon’s orbit. Check an ephemeris and your local Moonrise/Moonset to confirm.
What is a blue supermoon
Blue Moon versus supermoon
“Blue Moon” and “supermoon” describe independent conditions that almost never line up. Understanding each helps you interpret forecasts and avoid confusion.
- Blue Moon: The second full Moon in a single calendar month (average interval ~2.7 years), or the third full Moon in a season with four full Moons (metonic rule). It is a calendar/moon phase pattern, not a visual color.
- Supermoon: A New or Full Moon occurring at or near lunar perigee (closest approach to Earth within a given orbit). Perigee distances vary, so supermoon “super” strength differs by event.
Why blue supermoons are rare
A blue supermoon requires the perigee of the Moon’s orbit to align with both a blue Moon timing and a full Moon within roughly a day. The lunar month (~29.5 days) is shorter than many calendar months, so second full Moons occur irregularly. Seasonal fourth full Moons that are also supermoons are similarly infrequent. The result is a widely shared event with modest frequency.
How to interpret “blue” in a blue supermoon
Despite the name, a blue supermoon is usually silver or white. The Moon can appear tinted blue only under specific atmospheric conditions, such as smoke or ash particles from large fires or volcanic eruptions scattering red light. True blue-color Moons are uncommon and local, not guaranteed by the blue Moon label.
When is the next blue supermoon likely to occur
Due to the mismatch between synodic months and calendar months—and the timing of perigee—the next widely recognized blue supermoon is projected around May 2026. Verify with current ephemerides, your local Moonrise and Moonset, and the full Moon time in your time zone. If the full Moon occurs after midnight in your zone, the calendar date of the blue Moon may differ from regions east or west.
Illustrative recent and upcoming candidates
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Recent blue supermoon | Second full Moon in August and a supermoon; widely reported as a blue supermoon. |
| May 2026 (projected) | Next likely blue supermoon | Fits the pattern of a super blue Moon if full Moon aligns with perigee and month rule. |
| 2029–2030 | Future possible blue supermoons | Additional alignments are possible but spaced irregularly; exact dates require calculations. |
How to observe and photograph a blue supermoon
Timing and viewing conditions
Moonrise and Moonset vary by location and date. For the best view, choose a time when the Moon is high and the sky is dark. Check the full Moon time for your zone, then plan to observe near moonrise or moonset when the Moon is low and vivid, or at culmination for classic overhead viewing. Use clear horizons free of tall obstacles and avoid areas with heavy light pollution to see subtle shading.
Practical photography tips
- Use a tripod or steady support to avoid motion blur at longer focal lengths or exposures.
- Prefer a telephoto lens or a crop factor that increases focal length to capture detail on the disk.
- Expose for the highlights to retain detail in the Moon’s limb, and bracket if unsure.
- Consider including foreground elements for scale, but keep them sharp and well-separated from the Moon to avoid clutter.
Common misconceptions and fact checks
- Color myth: A blue supermoon is not literally blue. The term comes from the rare calendar occurrence, not the Moon’s color.
- Visibility myth: A supermoon appears larger and slightly brighter than an average full Moon, but the difference is modest; the “super” effect is noticeable but not dramatic.
- Frequency myth: Blue supermoons do not occur on predictable yearly intervals; they happen in clusters separated by years.
Reliable resources to verify dates
To confirm the next blue supermoon, check authoritative sources for Moon phases and perigee times for your specific location. Use these indicators to distinguish genuine predictions from speculation.
- US Naval Observatory data and Moon phase calculators.
- Timeanddate.com lunar calendar with time zone adjustments.
- Your local astronomy society or observatory for regional visibility details.