“Residents of Qatar will have a chance to witness the rare 'Blue Moon' phenomenon this evening when the Dhu al-Hijjah full Moon rises over the country's skies, according to the Qatar Calendar House (QCH). The full Moon will occur at 11:45am Doha time today, while moonrise is expected at 6:39pm, allowing skywatchers to observe the celestial event with the naked eye after sunset until shortly before sunrise at 4:44am on Monday, QCH astronomy expert Bashir Marzouq said. Despite its name, a Blue Moon does not appear blue. The term refers to a calendrical phenomenon in which two full Moons occur within the same calendar month. The first full Moon of May illuminated Qatar's skies on May 1, while the second reaches its full phase on May 31, fulfilling the conditions for a Blue Moon. Astronomers explain that the phenomenon results from the mismatch between the lunar cycle and the Gregorian calendar. A lunar month, or the period between successive full Moons, lasts about 29.5 days. Since most calendar months are 30 or 31 days long, an occasional month can accommodate two full Moons, with the second designated as a Blue Moon. Marzouq described the event as relatively uncommon, occurring roughly once every two to three years. The previous Blue Moon was recorded in August 2023, while the next is expected in December 2028. While genuine blue-coloured Moons can occasionally occur following major volcanic eruptions or widespread atmospheric dust, today's Moon will retain its usual silvery appearance. The event also coincides with the full Moon of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, offering residents a rare astronomical spectacle to enjoy across Qatar's evening skies.
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