Blue Moon To Light Up The Night Sky Friday
The next calendar month to boast two full moons will be July 2015.
Ever heard the phrase, “Once in a blue moon?” A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month, and as the saying implies, it’s a pretty rare occurrence. Tonight, however, skywatchers are in luck. Aug. 31 marks the second full moon this month, following a full moon on Aug. 1 and 2, NASA reports. The moon completes its orbit around the earth every 29.5 days, so every now and again, two full moons can make an appearance within a typical 30- or 31-day month. Tonight's will be the last until July 2015. So does the term have anything to do with the moon’s color? No, according to NASA. “Most blue moons look pale gray and white, indistinguishable from any other moon you've ever seen. Squeezing a second full moon into a calendar month doesn…
