2007-02-01 03:34:43 · 11 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. They say that when there is a blue moon, the moon has a face and talks to the items in its moonlight.
2007-02-01 03:36:56 · answer #1 · answered by Rebecca 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When you hear someone say "Once in a Blue Moon…" you know what they mean: Rare. Seldom. Maybe even absurd. After all, when was the last time you saw the moon turn blue?
On July 31st, you should look, because there's going to be a Blue Moon.
According to modern folklore, a Blue Moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. Usually months have only one full moon, but occasionally a second one sneaks in. Full moons are separated by 29 days, while most months are 30 or 31 days long; so it is possible to fit two full moons in a single month. This happens every two and a half years, on average.
2007-02-01 11:46:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blue moon is the second full moon within a single calendar month. This occurrence is somewhat rare leading the the term once in a blue moon. However it's really not an uncommon as some of the previous answers would lead you to believe. Since there are roughly 12.6 lunar months in a calendar year, with a lunar month being 29 calendar days.
2007-02-01 13:17:59 · answer #3 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a blue moon is the second of two full moons to occur in the same calendar month.
Blue moons occur infrequently, thus using the saying "once in a blue moon" to describe a rare events.
having a blue moon July 31, 2007
2007-02-01 11:43:43 · answer #4 · answered by Tharu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blue moon is a second full moon in a calendar month. Let's say the first new moon ends in the first couple of days of a month, the lunar cycle will wax and wane in time to have another new moon in the last couple of days of the month.
2007-02-01 11:39:33 · answer #5 · answered by togashiyokuni2001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The second full moon in a month is a blue moon. It doesn't happen very often, since full moons are 29 days apart.
2007-02-01 11:36:57 · answer #6 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blue moon is the second full moon in the same month. t doesn't happen too often so it's used to describe something that has the same characteristic.
2007-02-01 11:37:36 · answer #7 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/07jul_bluemoon.htm
Quote: According to modern folklore, a Blue Moon is the second full moon in a calendar month.... This happens every two and a half years, on average.
2007-02-01 11:45:02 · answer #8 · answered by jplrvflyer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A "blue" moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. So for example if there was a full moon on Jan. 1st and also on Jan. 29th.
2007-02-01 11:37:15 · answer #9 · answered by kittenpie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is when there are two full moons in one month.
2007-02-01 12:17:58 · answer #10 · answered by Jan S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋