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Don't Forget: Blue Moon Tonight

Sorry, it won't be blue, though

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 29, 2012 1:59 PM CDT | Updated Aug 31, 2012 2:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – A reminder for those who missed it: A blue moon will grace the skies tonight, although Space.com has a primer for those who might be mistakenly expecting a change in the moon's color. While dust particles in the atmosphere can in fact make the moon at times appear blueish, the term "blue moon," which has a somewhat confusing history, generally refers to the second full moon in a calendar month. And they occur more frequently than the phrase "once in a blue moon" might have you believe: every 2.7 years. The last one happened to fall on New Year's Eve 2009.

The Earth casts a faint shadow over the blue moon in a rare partial lunar eclipse a few hours into the New Year on Jan. 1, 2010.
The Earth casts a faint shadow over the blue moon in a rare partial lunar eclipse a few hours into the New Year on Jan. 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Plants are silhouetted by the moon at dawn on Jan. 1, 2010, as seen in Manila, Philippines.
Plants are silhouetted by the moon at dawn on Jan. 1, 2010, as seen in Manila, Philippines.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
A blue moon rises over Interstate 80 west of Omaha, Neb., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.
A blue moon rises over Interstate 80 west of Omaha, Neb., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
A blue moon rises above Dyche Hall at the University of Kansas Dec. 31, 2009, in Lawrence, Kan.
A blue moon rises above Dyche Hall at the University of Kansas Dec. 31, 2009, in Lawrence, Kan.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
Bulls-Eye
Aug 31, 2012 10:22 PM CDT
Went for a 20-mile bicycle ride tonight.  Gorgeous. 
easterner
Aug 31, 2012 9:04 PM CDT
 I just looked and It ain't blue.
lvan
Aug 31, 2012 4:59 PM CDT
Radfems get really horny on blue moon.

 
astronomy • full moon • moon • Blue Moon

 
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