Posted on 09/01/2012 2:56:41 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
I stood outside last night and watched it. It was so bright and there were lots of small dark clouds moving across it, giving an eerily beautiful effect.
It was saying good bye to one of its old buddies, Neil Armstrong.
“...blue moon...it is the forth full moon in a quarter...”
Is that any three month period, or does it have to be a calendar quarter? Oct 29 will be the 4th full moon in the three month period of Aug, Sep, Oct 2012. Will that be a ‘Blue Moon’?
That’s a nice thought NCC.
I’ve always been a moon watcher.
“... saying good bye to one of its old buddies, Neil Armstrong”
Beautiful statement, NCC!
stormer is correct in post #13. It is the third of four full moons in a three month period...I’m guessing on that last...but the calender is derived from the planet’s motion, not the moon’s. The term exists only because we attempt to meld the two.
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