Our last Blue Moon occurred on Halloween in 2020. That was called a “Blue Moon” because it was the second of two full moons in a single month. Now another sort of Blue Moon is coming up, which is a bit rarer.

August 22nd will mark the third of four full moons in a single season --- which is also called a Blue Moon. Yep. There are two different types of Blue Moon.

The four full moons this summer: June 24, July 24, August 22, September 20.

Summer began on June 20 and Autumn begins September 22.

How rare is a ‘Blue Moon?’ According to timeanddate.com;

In the 1100 years between 1550 and 2650, there are 408 seasonal Blue Moons and 456 monthly Blue Moons. This means that either type of Blue Moon occurs roughly every two or three years.

August's Blue Moon will be the first 'seasonal Blue Moon' since 2019. The next 'calendar' Blue Moon will be in August of 2023.

It’s quite rare to have a seasonal blue moon AND a monthly blue moon in the same calendar year. Between 1550 and 2650, 20 years have one seasonal and one monthly Blue Moon. The last time this happened was in 1934 and the next time will be in 2048.

The time between Full Moons is approximately 29.5 days, so the month of February can never have a monthly Blue Moon.

According to space.com, the phrase "once in a Blue Moon" has been around for more than 400 years, and that the earliest use of it was much like saying something absurd. The meaning evolved to something like saying "never.” Example: "I'll marry you when the moon turns blue" became the equivalent of "I'll marry you when pigs fly."

It has nothing to do with the moon turning blue in color. But perhaps the moon will be colored blue in February, as it can never have a ‘Blue Moon.’

 

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