Astronomy Picture of the Day -- On a Blue Moon

NASA ^ | September 01, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Rising at sunset, the gorgeous Full Moon of August 31 became the second Full Moon in a month. According to modern reckoning, that makes it a Blue Moon. In fact, parts of the Full Moon do look a little blue in this sharp lunar portrait. Taken just hours before the exact full phase in delightfully clear skies over Nottingham, UK, it features eye-catching bright rays extending from the prominent young crater Tycho in the Moon's southern hemisphere. The slightly color enhanced image also brings out subtle shades of blue, a real characteristic of terrain with a high content of titanium oxide and iron. The blue lunar terrain on the right includes the dark flat expanse of the Sea of Tranquility and the Apollo 11 landing site.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: Simon Smith]

[SunkenCiv]

Gallery: Blue Moon

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[bimboeruption]

Kinda looks like a muskmelon.

[gorush]

"Rising at sunset, the gorgeous Full Moon of August 31 became the second Full Moon in a month. According to modern reckoning, that makes it a Blue Moon."

Modern reckoning is wrong. There is a definition of a blue moon and it is NOT the second blue moon in a month...it is the forth full moon in a quarter...which is much rarer and only occurs once in a blue moon.

[NYer]

It kept me awake last night! When's the Harvest Moon

[gorush]

The Wolf Moon, the Snow Moon, the Worm Moon, the Pink Moon, the Flower Moon, the Strawberry Moon, the Buck Moon, the Sturgeon Moon, the Harvest Moon, the Hunter’s Moon, the Beaver Moon, and the Cold Moon.
The harvest moon is the moon closest to the fall equinox...normally Sept. or early Oct.

[left that other site]

We finally had a clear night sky and I was able to see it.

[momtothree]

We’ve been enjoying the Blue Moon, Sunky (although I can’t get the song out of my brain). Thanks for posting.

[SunkenCiv]

Better song, too.

[SunkenCiv]

;’) Almost forgot about it.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks g.

[SunkenCiv]

I forgot to check. [blush]

[left that other site]

You are forgiven! :-)

[The Cajun]

Too much mooning going on in this thread.

[momtothree]

We all know you LOVE it, too! LOL!

[stormer]

Close - it’s the third moon in a season with four moons (seasons beginning on the solstice or equinox). The first, middle, and last moons of the seasons all have names, so rather than messing with those titles, the Blue Moon was born.

[gorush]

you are correct, sir...or madam

[SunkenCiv]

It started out great, and just got crater and crater.

[stormer]

I'm an old "Mooner" myself...

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks stormer.