How to best see tonight’s rare blue micromoon
Celestial event is not expected to happen again for another 25 years.
Mason Reed 
Get ready for a spectacular view in the weekend sky as a rare celestial event arrives. 205focus.com is tracking the appearance of a blue micromoon, a phenomenon so infrequent that it won't occur again for another 25 years.
What is a Blue Micromoon?
Despite the name, a blue moon does not actually change color. It refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month—a rare event that happens roughly every two to three years. Since this month’s first full moon hit on May 1, we are now perfectly positioned for this second occurrence.
According to EarthSky, the last blue moon occurred on Aug. 31, 2023, and the next one isn't slated until Dec. 31, 2028.
The "micromoon" portion of the event refers to the moon reaching its apogee, the point in its orbit where it is at the farthest distance from Earth. While the average distance is around 238,900 miles, this weekend the moon will sit approximately 252,360 miles away, making it the smallest-appearing moon of the year.
Viewing Conditions in Alabama
Skywatchers across Alabama should be able to catch a glimpse, though local cloud cover will be the ultimate factor in how much you can see. Experts, including Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project, note that the moon will appear roughly 6% smaller and 10% dimmer than an average full moon. As Masi told the Associated Press, these visual differences are quite subtle and may go unnoticed by the casual observer.
