If you like to delay things until “once in a blue moon,” you might want to get prepared.
The second full moon this month, known as a blue moon, is less than two weeks away. It also will be a micromoon.
➤ Here’s how to spot the International Space Station from Florida
Later in the year will be a partial lunar eclipse and a total solar eclipse.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will occur at 4:45 a.m. ET on May 31.
Because it’s the second full moon to occur in May — the first was on May 1 — it’s known as a blue moon.
As if that weren’t enough, it’ll also be a micromoon.
How common is a blue moon?
According to NASA, a blue moon happens every two to three years.
You’ll have to wait awhile for the next one.
The next blue moon won’t be until Dec. 31, 2028. Yes, on New Year’s Eve.
What is a micromoon?
Because the moon follows an elliptical path — not a perfect circle — around the Earth, there are times when it’s very close to Earth and times when it’s much farther away.
At its closest approach — known as perigee — it’s called a supermoon.
At its farthest distance — known as apogee — from Earth, it’s called a micromoon.
On May 31, the moon will be be 252,360 miles away from Earth, compared to the average distance of 238,900 miles, according to earthsky.org.
Just as a supermoon makes the moon look much brighter and bigger, a micromoon appears smaller and dimmer, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac.
A full micromoon appears about 12% to14% smaller than a full supermoon, according to earthsky.org.
When are full moons in 2026?
Here’s when to expect each full moon this year:
Saturday, Jan. 3: 5:03 a.m., known as the Wolf Moon
Sunday, Feb. 1: 5:09 p.m., known as the Snow Moon
Tuesday, March 3: 6:38 a.m., known as the Worm Moon
Wednesday, April 1: 10:12 p.m., known as the Pink Moon
Friday, May 1: 1:23 p.m., known as the Flower Moon
Sunday, May 31: 4:45 a.m., known as a Blue Moon
Monday, June 29: 7:57 p.m., known as the Strawberry Moon
Wednesday, July 29: 10:36 a.m., known as the Buck Moon
Friday, Aug. 28: 12:19 a.m., known as the Sturgeon Moon
Saturday, Sept. 26: 12:49 p.m., known as the Corn Moon
Monday, Oct. 26: 12:12 a.m., known as the Hunter’s Moon
Tuesday, Nov. 24: 9:54 a.m., known as the Beaver Moon
Wednesday, Dec. 23: 8:28 p.m., known as the Cold Moon
Total solar eclipse coming in August 2026
A total solar eclipse will occur Aug. 12, 2026.
➤ Fun fact: A solar eclipse always occurs about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.
A partial lunar eclipse will occur Aug. 27, 2026.
Where is path of totality for 2026 total solar eclipse?
The path of totality for the total solar eclipse will be across Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, according to space.com.
Will the total solar eclipse be visible in Florida, US?
Sorry, but seeing even a partial solar eclipse won’t be possible in Florida.
Visibility in the U.S. will be limited to the Northeast and Alaska, according to timeanddate.com.
➤ See cities, states with view of a partial solar eclipse
Partial lunar eclipse coming in August 2026
A partial lunar eclipse will occur Aug. 27-28, 2026, and this will be visible across North America.
Will partial lunar eclipse be visible in Florida?
The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. ET Aug. 27 and ends at 3:01 a.m. Aug. 28.
It will be visible in Florida, although residents along the east coast may miss some of it since the moon may be low on the horizon during the peak portion of the eclipse.
Florida residents can expect to see about 93% of the moon to be in the Earth’s shadow, according to timeanddate.com.
➤ See view and timing from where you live
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, creating a shadow across the lunar surface.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Next full moon is a blue moon May 31. When to watch for it