Rare Celestial Event “Blue Moon” Observed Across Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Citizens across Pakistan, including Lahore, observed the rare celestial phenomenon known as the “Blue Moon” on Sunday night, as clear weather conditions allowed a bright and full moon to be clearly visible in multiple cities. Astronomy enthusiasts, families, and photography lovers captured the stunning view.
According to astronomers, the second full moon of May 2026 appeared on Sunday night, which is scientifically referred to as a Blue Moon. Experts say this is a relatively rare event that usually occurs once every two to three years.
In cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, and Multan, people witnessed the moonrise in the evening, with the view becoming particularly striking from around 7:30 pm when it rose in the eastern horizon. In many areas, the moon remained clearly visible throughout the night.
Chairman of the Department of Space Science at Punjab University, Professor Dr. Syed Aamir Mehmood, explained that a Blue Moon does not refer to the color of the moon but is an astronomical term used when two full moons occur within a single calendar month. He said that in May 2026, the first full moon appeared on May 1, while the second occurred on May 31.
He further added that this Blue Moon was also a Micromoon, meaning the moon was relatively farther from Earth in its orbit, making it appear slightly smaller and less bright than a typical full moon.
Experts explained that different lunar phases and phenomena have specific astronomical terms. A Supermoon appears larger and brighter when the moon is closer to Earth, while a Micromoon appears smaller due to its greater distance.
They further noted that a Blood Moon refers to the reddish appearance of the moon during a total lunar eclipse. Similarly, Harvest Moon is the traditional term for the full moon seen during the autumn season, while Strawberry Moon refers to the full moon occurring in June.
