Did you know that when there are two full moons in one month they are called a Blue Moon? They usually aren't blue in color, but that's the term given when there are two full moons in a month! One full phase cycle takes 29.5 days so how is this possible? Very rarely, a monthly Blue Moon (second of two full moons in one calendar month) and a seasonal Blue Moon (third of four full moons in one season) can occur in the same calendar year. But for this to happen, you need 13 full moons in one calendar year AND 13 full moons in between successive December solstices. The next Blue Moon is January 31, 2018...which also happens to be a total Lunar Eclipse in Utah. Technically, the moon won't be turning Blue that night, possibly red... If you love the color blue and want to see a Blue moon every month there are blue filters you can put on your telescope. In the past there was a full moon on July 2, 2015. There was another full moon on July 31, 2015. So the July 31, 2015, full moon was called a Blue Moon, according to this definition. You do the math...it is possible. Seven times in 19 years there were — and still are — 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon. The saying "once in a blue moon" isn't so rare. They do occur, each year. When you look up, you can learn LOTS of things!
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |