10 points for the first correct answer.
2007-01-22 08:17:43 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
"The term Blue Moon has at least four related meanings. One is a common metaphorical phrase for a rare event that really has little to do with the moon itself. Another is a description of the apparent color of the moon, which is frequently yellowish and rarely bluish. Full moons are given names in folklore, and two definitions of blue moon are a name for a rare full moon that does not have a folk name. One modern blue moon definition is for a second, extra full moon that occurs in a calendar month. The older definition of blue moon is for an extra full moon that occurs in a quarter of the year, which would normally have three full moons, but sometimes has four. Oddly, it is the third full moon in a season that has four which is counted as the "extra" full moon and named blue moon."
2007-01-22 08:19:48 · answer #1 · answered by TimmyD 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
A blue moon is the second new moon that appears in the same month. The new moon is when the light that falls on the moon from the sun is blocked by the earth, so the moon is completely dark (opposite of a full moon, when you can see the entire moon illuminated). It doesn't happen very often.
Common misconception is it is a full moon, but that is not correct, it's the new moon.
2007-01-22 08:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by bluefish787 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can be caused by smoke or dust particles in the atmosphere, such as happened after forest fires in Sweden in 1950 and Canada in 1951 and, notably, after the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 which caused blue moons for nearly two years.
However, the best known physical definition is the one which states that the second full moon in a month is called a blue moon. This happens about seven times every 19 years, though the dates vary around the world because, even though a full moon occurs at the same moment for the whole planet, there are many variations on local time. In 1999, for instance, there were no fewer than four different scenarios depending on your location and variations in daylight saving time.
2007-01-22 08:22:07 · answer #3 · answered by blazing_staruk 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to the popular definition, it is the second Full Moon to occur in a single calendar month.
The average interval between Full Moons is about 29.5 days, whilst the length of an average month is roughly 30.5 days. This makes it very unlikely that any given month will contain two Full Moons, though it does sometimes happen.
On average, there will be 41 months that have two Full Moons in every century, so you could say that once in a Blue Moon actually means once every two-and-a-half years.
2007-01-22 08:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by crestland_chic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Two full moons in the same calendar month. A full oon happens roughly every 28 days and when two of them happen in the same month, it is called a blue moon.
2007-01-22 08:20:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The second full moon of the month.
2007-01-22 08:20:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is no such thing as a blue moon which is where the phrase "once in a blue moon" comes from. It means it will never happen.
2007-01-22 08:20:47 · answer #7 · answered by thesaxman50 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Its a Moon, & its blue. Maybe? Thats my guess..
2007-01-22 08:21:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 full moons in one month
2007-01-22 08:20:19 · answer #9 · answered by Lost in Austen 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When there are two full moons in one month.
2007-01-22 08:20:56 · answer #10 · answered by ઈтєlly 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋