2007-01-31 22:24:06 · 5 answers · asked by dude_port 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Once in a Blue Moon ... is a common way of saying not very often, but what exactly is a Blue Moon?
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.
2007-01-31 22:32:17 · answer #1 · answered by landhermit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some almanacs and calendars assert when two full moons occur within a calendar month, that the second full moon is called the "Blue Moon."
On past occasions, usually after forest fires or volcanic eruptions, the moon can indeed take on a bluish or lavender hue. Soot and ash particles, deposited high in the Earth's atmosphere can sometimes make the moon appear bluish. Such a situation was noted across eastern North America in late September 1950, due to smoke from widespread forest fire activity in western Canada. Also, in the aftermath of the massive eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in June 1991 there were reports of blue moons worldwide.
The phrase "Once in a blue moon" was first noted in 1824 and refers to occurrences that are uncommon, perhaps even rare. Yet, to have two full Moons in the same month is not as uncommon as one might think. In fact, it occurs, on average, about every 32 months. And in the year 1999 it actually occurred twice in three months.
2007-02-01 06:32:29 · answer #2 · answered by nayanmange 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blue moon is a second full moon in a month. It doesn't happen often.....but this June 2007.....you will be able to see a blue moon. The first full moon will occur on June 1st. and the blue moon will be June 30 th.
2007-02-01 09:47:48 · answer #3 · answered by Blondie B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blue moon is simply two full moons in a single calendar month.
2007-02-01 08:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by david37863 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blue Moon:
When there are TWO full moons within the same month. The moon's cyclical period is only 21 days. So occasionally it will be full twice during the same month.
2007-02-01 06:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by nihilistic_boomer_scum62 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋