"once in a blue moon" is a phrase commonly used to describe an incredibly rare event, but what does it mean in terms of astronomy? Can the moon change color?
There are two types of Blue Moons, but they have nothing to do with color.
NASA defines a Blue Moon as the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. The second definition is a monthly Blue Moon which refers to the second full moon within a single calendar month. According to Time and Date, the monthly Blue Moon is the second definition of a Blue Moon.
What is a blood moon?
As the cycle of the phases of the moon lasts approximately one month, we typically experience 12 full moons each year. Many cultures have given distinct names to each month's full moon. 12 months, 12 full moons, 12 names. Simple right?
Well, not quite. Here's where the Blue Moon comes into the equation.
It takes just 354 days to complete the 12 lunar cycles that the moon phases take. Every 2.5 years or so a 13th full moon is observed.
The 13th full moon is referred to as the Blue Moon because it does not conform to the normal naming scheme.
Blue Moons are not the same as the popular phrase "once in a blue moon".
Blue Moons occur once every two to three years. February will never have a monthly Blue Moon as it only has 28 days in a year and 29 in a leap year. Time and Date says that sometimes February doesn't have a Full Moon at all.
The next Blue Moon is in August of 2023. The Blue Moon will take place on August 19-20, 2024.
The last Blue Moon was in August of 2021.
The last Blue Moon until 2023 wows stargazers.
If you want to learn how to photograph the moon guide, check out our handy how to photograph the moon guide.
Yes! This is a very rare event, in fact, you could say it happens once in a Blue Moon.
The Indonesian volcano Krakatoa erupted and spread ash as high as 80 kilometers into the air in the late 19th century. The tiny ash particles acted as a filter, scattering red light and turning the moon a blue-green hue.
According to NASA Science, volcanic eruptions have caused blue moons in the past, including the 1983 eruption of El Chichon volcano in Mexico. Mount Pinatubo was in 1991 and St. Helens in 1980.
Blue Moons can be explored in a nutshell with the Blue Moon Infographic. The blue moon was captured by the European weather satellite and was visible just before it disappeared out of sight. There are different types of full moons.
August 20 was the date of L. Mohon's article. There is a blue moon. NASA. The blue moon was reported on April 21, 2022.
NASA. There is a blue moon. NASA. On April 21, 2002, from the website of the NASA.
Look for a blue moon. What is a blue moon? The next monthly blue moon is called a surgeon moon.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
