Micromoon in June 2026: a rare phenomenon that can be seen with the naked eye

A micromoon is an unusual astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the full moon coincides with the moment of the maximum distance of the Moon from the Earth. Unlike the more famous supermoon, during the micromoon, our planet's natural satellite appears slightly smaller than usual. In June 2026, residents of Russia and other countries will be able to see this phenomenon again. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

When will there be a micromoon in June 2026

In 2026, the first full moon of summer will come on June 30. At this time, the Moon will be located near the apogee, the point of the lunar orbit as far away from the Earth as possible. Because of this, the size of the lunar disk visually decreases.

You can observe the effect of the micromoon on the evening of June 29, as well as on the night of June 29-30. For most observers, it is the time of moonrise above the horizon that will be the most spectacular.

What is a micromoon in simple terms?

A micromoon is a full moon or new moon that occurs near the apogee of the lunar orbit. In simple words, at this moment the Moon is further away from the Earth than usual.

The Moon's orbit is not perfectly circular. It has the shape of an ellipse, so the distance between the Earth and its satellite is constantly changing. At the closest point of the orbit, called perigee, the Moon is located about 363 thousand km from Earth. At the most remote point, the apogee, the distance can exceed 405 thousand km.

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When the full moon coincides with perigee, a supermoon occurs. If the full Moon is observed near its apogee, a micromoon occurs. Despite the name, the Moon itself is not getting smaller. Only its apparent size in the sky changes due to an increase in the distance to the Earth.

To an untrained observer, the difference between an ordinary full moon and a micromoon may seem insignificant. However, in the photographs and when compared with the supermoon, the differences become more noticeable.

What time can the micromoon be observed: the exact time

The full moon phase will occur on June 30, 2026 at 02:56 Moscow time.

However, astronomers note that it is not worth being tied exclusively to minutes. The full moon looks almost equally bright and round for several hours before and after the "official" moment of the full moon.

The best time for observations depends on the region of residence. The micromoon will look most impressive on the evening of June 29 during the moonrise above the horizon. At this point, the so-called lunar illusion comes into effect: the satellite appears much larger than when it is high in the sky. Although the actual size of the moon does not change, the human brain perceives it differently because of the surrounding objects - buildings, trees, or the horizon line.

For residents of the European part of Russia, the optimal hours of observation will be the late evening of June 29 and the night of June 30. If the weather is clear, it will be possible to see the full moon without any optical instruments.

How does a micromoon differ from a supermoon?

The main difference is the distance between the Earth and the moon.

During a supermoon, the full moon occurs near perigee. This makes the moon's disk appear larger and brighter than usual. Astronomers estimate that a supermoon may look about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a micromoon.

During the micromoon, the situation is reversed. The satellite is closer to apogee, so it looks a little smaller and less bright. However, for most people, it is difficult to notice the differences between an ordinary full moon and a micromoon without special comparative photographs.

Another common misconception is that the micromoon supposedly affects a person's health or mood. Modern science does not have convincing evidence of the existence of such an impact. For astronomers, the micromoon is primarily of interest as a consequence of the features of the Moon's motion in an elliptical orbit.

Where and how best to observe the micromoon

No expensive equipment is required to observe the micromoon. You can see the phenomenon with the naked eye from almost any point where the sky is not covered with dense clouds.

It is best to choose open spaces with a good view of the horizon: parks, embankments, hills or countryside. The less artificial lighting there is, the more comfortable the observations will be.

Fans of astrophotography are advised to use a tripod and a telephoto lens. Even a smartphone can capture the full moon, but an optical zoom camera is better suited for getting a detailed image.

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Especially interesting shots are obtained at the moment of moonrise, when its disk is low above the horizon. In this case, you can include city landmarks, reservoirs, or natural features in the frame.

Interesting facts about the micromoon and the movement of the moon

Izvestia has collected some interesting facts about the Earth's satellite and the micromoon.

• The term "micromoon" is not considered an official astronomical concept. It is actively used by popularizers of science and the media as the opposite of the more well-known term "supermoon".
• The moon is gradually moving away from the Earth. According to scientists, the satellite moves away by about 3.8 cm annually. This process is extremely slow and does not affect people's daily lives, but it plays an important role in the long—term evolution of the Earth-Moon system.
• 49 moons can be placed inside the globe, while the surface area of the satellite is only 2.2 times the area of Russia.

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