Blue Moon 2015: When To See The First Since 2012

“For this reason, red blue moons are far more common than blue blue moons”, according to NASA.

The moon can actually appear blue under extremely rare circumstances.

Don’t be fooled by the name “blue moon”, however. By the 1800s, “blue moon” was being applied to a rare astronomical quirk based on the discrepancy between the lunar cycle and the calendar year. “It’s right behind us so we get the full reflection”, said Eugene Chiang, Professor of Astronomy, Earth and Planetary Science at UC Berkeley.

“It only happens every two or three years – you have to wait a while until you end up with an extra moon in your year”.

The first full moon of the month was July 2.

Look up at the sky Friday night, and you’ll see a moon so rare, it lives up to that old saying. When we have the privilege to see a moon of a different color, this is thanks to events happening on Earth and not in space.

Today’s modern day usage of the phrase blue moon can be attributed to a Sky and Telescope writer who in the 1940s tried to clear up a confusing definition published by the Maine Farmers’ Almanac. This is very evident in 1883 when the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa erupted and spewed ash into the atmosphere that gave the atmosphere a bluish tinge event at night.

“Regardless of its origin, a blue moon is worth watching because of its unique timing”, she said, adding that the celestial event last occurred in August 2012 and will not take place again until January 2018.

Furthermore, experts told that when one looks at the moon when it is low on the horizon, it may appear larger than when it is high in the sky.

They say blue moons mark a time of upset, change and possibilities.

Yes, the smoke from forest fires can also alter the colour of the moon. No. It appears gray like any other full moon. So, when moonlight shines through a layer of these particles, it can make the Moon look blue.