By Katelyn Oster.
Our Moon, Courtesy of NASA.
Have you ever heard that phrase “once in a blue moon” and wondered when that blue moon would be coming around? You’re in luck! This lunar rarity will be shining bright in the night sky this Friday, August 31st, 2012 for the last time until mid-year 2015.
These glowing astronomical wonders are rare because of the extraordinary appearance of two full moons in one month.
Why is it that this phenomenon occurs? The answer lies in the nature of the Gregorian solar calendar. While 365 days are normally observed each year, the calendar actually accounts for 365.2425 days. That precisely equals 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds. This means that each year there is technically a “surplus” of “time”. Those extra hours, minutes, and seconds add up, causing phenomenal astronomical events to occur seemingly out of the “blue”.
Since the moon isn’t physically tinted differently than normal, the origin of it’s name seems puzzling. It is called a “blue” moon because, traditionally, each full moon was named something different. When a random full moon arose out of seemingly nowhere, it was automatically given the name of an outcast moon, one that came without warning. This was done so that the seasonal moons could be accurately named and predicted.
So whether you wish to see this moon because of haunting superstition or for scientific fascination, don’t miss out on its full glow this Friday at 13:58 Universal Time.
