Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Once in a Blue Moon

~Please scroll down to Wordless Wednesday~

Blue moon to shine on New Year's Eve


December 30, 2009 8:17 a.m. EST

(CNN) -- It happens only once in a blue moon -- and scientists say a blue moon is exactly what we'll see in the skies this New Year's Eve.


This image of Earth and moon is a composite of two images sent back by the Galileo spacecraft.

Don't expect an azure glow over our lunar satellite, however. The term "blue moon" simply refers to the second full moon in a calendar month, something that hasn't happened on a New Year's Eve for nearly 20 years, NASA says.

"December 1990 ended with a blue moon, and many New Year's Eve parties were themed by the event," said Professor Philip Hiscock of the department of folklore at Memorial University of Newfoundland, in Canada. "It was a lot of fun."

Most months have just one full moon, because the 29.5-day cycle of the moon matches up pretty well with the length of calendar months. Occasionally, there will be two full moons in a month, something that happens about every 2½ years, NASA says.

But a blue moon on December 31 is rare...
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17 comments:

Cheryl Ann said...

I saw the moon over our desert yesterday afternoon and evening. It was BEAUTIFUL! And, this morning, when I woke up at 3:00 a.m. to let the dogs out, it was setting in the west. GORGEOUS! I didn't know it was a "blue moon". Intersting, eh?

Stephanie V said...

The weatherman's plan for us is rain on New Years Eve...don't get to see the blue moon. I'll know it's up there, though.

Calico Crazy said...

I was just commenting to my daughter last night that the moon was almost full, she will be thrilled with this little tidbit.

Carolyn Ford said...

Great news for New Year's Eve! I hope our skies are clear enough to see it! Great post and thank you!

Martha said...

That is cool, thanks for sharing. I would probably not have realized. I have a photo of the "blue" moon from a couple years ago (2007) somewhere.

A great way to ring out the old and in the new!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

Lets hope that blue moon shines some good luck on the world

sunnymama said...

How interesting! I hope you have a wonderful New Year and thanks for letting us know about the 'blue moon'. I shall look out for it. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this. How wonderful :)

storyteller at Small Reflections said...

I heard about this on Good Morning America this morning. We've got drizzily skies right now, but by tomorrow who knows?
Hugs and blessings,

Unknown said...

i am looking forward to the blue moon, but the weatherman forecasts a rainy New Year's eve. i'm keeping my fingers crossed.:p

♥ Kathy said...

I read about that this morning Mary! I can't wait to see it again...I just a full moon!!

Jew Wishes said...

Happy New Year to you and yours, Mary! Be well, safe and joyous.

Chrystal K. said...

That's exciting. I'll be sure to look up at the sky tomorrow night.

limo hire said...

I never seem it but i am so excited for blue moon....

Regina said...

Happy New Year! All the best.
Cheers and regards.

Regina

Photo Cache said...

Happy New Year teach. Health and wealth to you and yours in 2010.

Travis Cody said...

I had to work on NYE day. It's dark when I drive in, and the moon was directly ahead of me to the west, hidden in the clouds. It looked fantastic.