What is a Micromoon?
The Moon’s orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle. Its distance from Earth changes continuously as it moves around our planet. The Moon’s closest orbital point is called perigee. Its farthest orbital point is called apogee.
When a Full Moon occurs near apogee, the Moon is farther from Earth than during an average Full Moon. Its apparent disk is therefore slightly smaller. This is what is commonly called a Micro moon.
The more technical description is apogee syzygy, referring to the alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon at Full Moon or New Moon near apogee.
When is the next Micromoon?
The next Micromoon in 2026 is on December 9, 2026 at 00:52 UTC. It is a New Micromoon thus it will be invisible.
Micromoon Dates 2026-2027
| Date and time | Moon Phase | Distance from Earth |
|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2026, 08:45 UTC | Full Moon | 406,135 km |
| June 29, 2026, 23:57 UTC | Full Moon | 405,251 km |
| December 9, 2026, 00:52 UTC | New Moon | 404,687 km |
| January 7, 2027, 20:24 UTC | New Moon | 406,521 km |
| July 18, 2027, 15:45 UTC | Full Moon | 405,973 km |
| August 17, 2027, 07:29 UTC | Full Moon | 405,078 km |
Why does a Micromoon happen?
A Micromoon happens because the Moon has an elliptical orbit.
If the Moon’s orbit were a perfect circle, its distance from Earth would remain almost constant. Instead, the Moon moves between a closer point and a farther point during each orbit. At the same time, the Moon continues through its normal phases.
When the Full Moon happens near the farthest part of that orbit, we get a Full Micromoon. The timing does not have to match apogee exactly. Different definitions allow a certain distance or time window around apogee.
How much smaller is a Micromoon?
The difference is real, but it is relatively subtle.
A Full Micromoon can appear roughly 7% smaller than an average Full Moon and around 12–14% smaller than a Full Supermoon, depending on the particular Moon distances being compared.
The difference is much easier to demonstrate with photographs taken using the same equipment than by simply looking at the sky.
Most observers will not be able to identify a Micromoon just by looking at it without a comparison.
Is a Micromoon actually much dimmer?
Yes, but the difference is modest compared with everyday visual expectations.
Because the Moon is farther away, it appears slightly smaller and receives a little less apparent brightness at Earth.
NASA notes that the Full Moon at its closest can appear up to 30% brighter than the faintest Full Moon of the year, which occurs when the Moon is farthest from Earth.
That does not mean a Micromoon looks dark. It remains an extremely bright object in the night sky.
Can you see a Micromoon with the naked eye?
Yes. A Full Micromoon is easy to see when the Moon is above the horizon and the sky is clear. You do not need a telescope, binoculars or special equipment.
The challenge is not seeing it. The challenge is noticing the relatively small difference in apparent size.
Without a direct comparison with another Full Moon, the difference can be difficult to recognize.
When is the best time to see a Micromoon?
A Full Micromoon is visible throughout the night when it is above the horizon.
You do not need to observe it at the exact moment of Full Moon. The Moon looks nearly full for a period around the peak.
For photography, moonrise and moonset can provide more interesting compositions because the Moon can be photographed alongside buildings, landscapes, trees or other foreground objects.
The exact rise and set times depend on your observing location.
Micromoon vs Supermoon
Micromoons and Supermoons are essentially opposite examples of the Moon’s changing orbital distance.
A Supermoon occurs when a Full Moon happens relatively close to perigee, the Moon’s nearest point to Earth.
A Micromoon occurs when a Full Moon happens relatively close to apogee, the Moon’s farthest point from Earth.
| Micromoon | Supermoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital position | Near apogee | Near perigee |
| Distance | Relatively far from Earth | Relatively close to Earth |
| Apparent size | Slightly smaller | Slightly larger |
| Apparent brightness | Slightly dimmer | Slightly brighter |
| Official astronomical term | No | No |
The difference is caused by orbital distance, not by a change in the Moon itself.
The Blue Micromoon of May 2026
The most unusual Micromoon of 2026 occurred on May 31.
It combined two separate lunar events:
- It was the second Full Moon of May, making it a Blue Moon.
- It occurred close to apogee, making it a Micromoon.
This made the May Full Moon both a Blue Moon and a Micromoon. NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day described it as the farthest, smallest and dimmest Moon of 2026.
Despite the name “Blue Micromoon,” the Moon did not actually appear blue.
The Blue Moon label describes its position in the calendar, while the Micromoon label describes its orbital distance.
How to photograph a Micromoon
Photographing a Micromoon is not fundamentally different from photographing any Full Moon.
The biggest challenge is demonstrating the small difference in apparent size.
For a useful comparison:
- Use the same camera and lens for both images.
- Keep the focal length unchanged.
- Photograph the Moon from the same location if possible.
- Keep the image framing and processing consistent.
- Compare the Moon’s apparent diameter afterward.
A landscape composition can also make a compelling image, particularly around moonrise.
For a close-up Moon, a telephoto lens or telescope will reveal much more detail than a phone camera.