Is a Blue Moon, such as the one tonight, ever really blue in color, or does it m

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   Faith Reaperposted 9 years ago

   Is a Blue Moon, such as the one tonight, ever really blue in color, or does it mean it is rare?
   
   Tonight there is going to be  a special Blue Moon.  I do not believe I've ever seen one, but wonder if it is called a Blue Moon because it is a rare happening, being there are two full months this month.  Has anyone ever seen a Blue Moon, and is it blue and what is the real reason why they are calling it a Blue Moon?  Thank you for answering.
   
   

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   fpherj48posted 9 years ago

   I'm not an expert in Astronomy, Faith, But I remember the "Blue Moon" event being explained to me.  I'll try to tell you without confusion!
   
   In one year, there are FOUR Seasons consisting of 3 months each.....Thus each astronomical "season" has  THREE FULL MOONS...one for each month.
   
   Every now and then (I do not know the time spans!) there is a 2nd moon in a particular month .....OR....said another way.....a 4th moon in the season.
   That 2nd FULL moon of that particular month is the "BLUE MOON.".....
   Because it is RARE.....we get that expression about "once in a blue moon.".......
   
   That full moon is blue in color only sometimes.....not always.   The blue is not the moon...it's particles in the atmosphere that cause the moon to appear blue......
   
   I just looked outside, but it's not quite dark enough for the full moon to show right now......I do want to see it and make a wish!
   
   The next Blue moon is suppose to be Saturday May 21st. 2016.  And trust me Faith......It will be a BLUE MOON before I try to explain this again!!    Whew!!     Did I confuse you?   I sure confused myself!!

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, Paula, thank you so much!  No, you did not confuse me at all.  I appreciate the in-depth answer and now I get it.  I am looking now too, and it is still not quite dark enough. The blue moon song keeps going through my mind. You're awesome!

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   Anne Harrisonposted 9 years ago

   From what I can gather, the origins of the expression is rather obscure. It may have been a mispronunciation of the Old English term belewe, to betray - the extra moon in the month confusing calendars etc. The best reference I found is at http://www.worldwidewords.org/ - a great source for anyone interested int e history of language.

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Anne, I have learned something new in your answer here ...the belewe, and how interesting about  the "to betray"  ...thanks for the link too. Yes, I've wondered about that saying, once in a blue moon.

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   Elsie Hagleyposted 9 years ago

   A blue moon is when there are two full moons in the same month.
   New Zealand had a blue moon in July 2015, the 2nd of July and the 30th July. That is a blue moon to my knowledge and it's not usually blue.

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      HI Elsie, thank you so much for answering.  Yes, I think you are right. I think it may be light gray or pale and then sometimes blue, as that photo I have is from wiki ...? I need to go out and look again.

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   syzygyastroposted 9 years ago

   It means two full moons in a single month; that is all. It is rare, because, you need a month of at least 30 days and the full moons must fall near the first and last days of that month. As our calendar is somewhat arbitrary, this is not universal. For instance, Muslims, Jews and some other cultures use different calendars and month in which there is no blue moon in the current period. In the Mayan month of 20 days, a blue moon scenario is impossible.

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi William, yes, that is what I was thinking. I just saw the moon and it is not blue lol. That is so interesting about the calendars! Thank you for sharing those important facts as they are pertinent!

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   bravewarriorposted 9 years ago

   A blue moon is one that occurs for the second time in a calendar month. They are rare.
   
   In an article posted by ABC News (July 31, 2015), "A truly blue colored moon can occur on rare occasions, according to NASA, with most being spotted after volcanic eruptions. It's also possible Friday's moon could be red.
   
   "Often, when the Moon is hanging low, it looks red for the same reason that sunsets are red, NASA explains. "The atmosphere is full of aerosols much smaller than the ones injected by volcanoes. These aerosols scatter blue light, while leaving the red behind."

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, how cool, dear Sha, that you have addressed the color of blue aspect of my question and have found truly fascinating facts as to why and how the blue may occur!  Awesome answer. Thank you!

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You're welcome, Faith!

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      So many have provided further insight, however, being you have provided the facts on when the moon may actually turn blue, I will choose your answer as best.  Appreciate you.  Hope you are enjoying an awesome weekend.

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome. Thanx! It's raining here (again), but having a nice weekend nonetheless. Hope you are too!

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You're welcome.  It is a beautiful weekend here with less humidity for a change!  Blessings

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   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   The moon turns blue?  Thought moon is always yellow

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      We are talking about the rare occasion when two full moons occur in one month, and Sha has shared how sometimes it may appear blue in color.  There are many songs written about "Blue Moon".

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   Hazel Abeeposted 9 years ago

   I think you got your answer .. it is definitely 2 moons in one month. this is where the phrase 'Once in a Blue Moon' is originated from because the occurrence is so rare that when we want to refer something to occur rarely we use this phrase.

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Hazel, yes, I did about the rare occurrence of the Blue Moon and then the added information about when it does have a blue hue to it.  I know there are many songs about the "Blue Moon" and that common phrase.

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   frogyfishposted 9 years ago

   Faith Reaper, you've received some excellent and informative answers, and the consensus is that a blue moon relates to the incidence of two full moons in one month - yes, plus some variable additives related.  I looked up your question  to see what was available, and further answers are:  A blue moon can relate to absurdity, to time, and to a French meaning, 'la duex lune', meaning "double moon" AND sounding similar to 'blue moon' in English. And actually, there is a rare occurrence when a moon may look bluish from volcanic ash, but this evidently does not portray the modern meaning of our term 'blue moon'.
   
   So...Though I knew a moon of blue meant two to see in one, I searched around and shortly found, the moon is round and 'weighs a ton'.*
   *Now there's another phrase for you...Cheers!

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi frogyfish, yes, there are some great answers here.  Oh, wow, you have come up with additional and interesting information! LOL on the being round and weighs a ton ...Cheers!

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