Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Tonight’s Rare Blue Moon Full Moon
- It’s a seasonal phenomenon, not a color change: A blue moon full moon doesn’t actually turn blue tonight. The term refers to the third full moon in a season that has four full moons, making it an extra lunar event that only happens every 2-3 years.
- Optimal viewing times depend on your location: For the best experience, watch for the blue moon full moon rising just after sunset. In the U.S., peak illumination is around 9:35 p.m. ET on August 19, but check local moonrise times for a stunning horizon view.
- Expect an optical illusion effect: As the blue moon full moon sits low in the sky, it can appear larger and more orange due to atmospheric scattering. This “moon illusion” makes it a prime moment for photographers.
- It influences tides and wildlife behavior: The stronger gravitational pull during a full moon leads to higher-than-normal “spring tides.” The blue moon full moon may also trigger unusual animal activity, like spawning events in coral reefs.
- This is the last blue moon until 2027: Mark your calendar, as the next seasonal blue moon full moon won’t occur until May 2027. A monthly blue moon (second in a calendar month) happens next in May 2026, but this seasonal one is rarer.