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What is a Blue Moon?
L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn
The phrase 'once in a blue moon' is frequently used to refer to an event that occurs very rarely, but what exactly is a blue moon? In the simplest of terms, a blue moon is the second full moon in any calendar month. Note that despite the name, the color of the moon does not change during a blue moon.
The average moon cycle lasts about 29.5 days, and of course most months have 30 or 31 days. Its clear then, that blue moons are relatively rare. For a blue moon to occur, a first full moon has to fall at the very beginning of a month so that the next full moon (29.5 days later) can rise during the same month.
On average, there are about 2 and a half years between blue moons. Of course the months that have 31 days are much more likely to have blue moons than those that have 30 days. February, the only month with fewer than 30 days, never has any blue moons.
About four times per century, a calendar year has two blue moons. 1999 was the most recent year with two blue moons. The 21st century will have the following double-blue-moon years: 2018, 2037, 2067 and 2094.
There is a little controversy over what a blue moon actually is. We have described the modern version, but in previous centuries, the term blue moon referred to third full moon in a season that has four full moons.
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![The second full moon in a calendar month is known as a blue moon.]()
By: tomreichnerThe second full moon in a calendar month is known as a blue moon. -
![Months that have 31 days are much more likely to have blue moons.]()
By: sergignMonths that have 31 days are much more likely to have blue moons. -
![Upcoming double-blue moons are expected to occur in 2018, 2037, 2067 and 2094.]()
By: marcelUpcoming double-blue moons are expected to occur in 2018, 2037, 2067 and 2094.
Discussion Comments
Many say that the phrase is linked to the Krakatoa's volcanic eruption that happened in 1883. It says the blast was equal to 100 megaton nuclear bomb. The effect was felt as far as south Africa and the dust particles from the ashes covered the atmosphere and somehow made the moon appears bluish. The event happens so rarely, it gave the meaning to the phrase "once in a blue moon."
Actually, astronomically, a blue moon does not refer to 2 full moons in a calendar month. This came into popular usage sometime in the 1950s,
without any good explanation.
Originally, a blue moon was just that, when the moon appears blue due to an atmospheric disturbance such as dust from a large volcanic eruption. This filters out red light wavelengths making the moon look bluer. This is much rarer than even two full moons in a month, hence the original derivation of the expression "once in a blue moon."
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