Sunday, August 2, 2015

Blue Moon From My Yard

Friday's full moon (July 31st, 2015) was a Blue Moon. Of course, it wasn't blue in color. A Blue Moon commonly refers to the second full moon in a month. As the Lunar Cycle is 28 days, it is a pretty rare event. In fact, that definition, first published in Sky and Telescope, is incorrect. But so many people now use that definition, that it has entered common usage.  Strictly speaking, in a year with 13, rather than the usual 12 full moons, a Blue Moon is the third moon in a season with four moons.

However you look at it, it's a relatively rare event, happening only once every two to three years. I took this pic in my yard of the Blue Moon rising over the dense treeline.

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