Once in a blue Moon: Blue Full Moon on May 21 2016

2

On May 21, 2016 the full moon will shine blue in the night sky.

A blue moon? Not really! There are normally only three full moons in each season of the year. And this May’s full moon is the third of four full moons during Springtime (March Equinox to June Solstice). Therefore, it is known as a blue moon.

blue moon may 21 2016, blue moon, blue moon explained, next blue moon may 21 2016, once in a blue moon, blue moon phenomenon, blue moon rare phenomenon

This rare calendar event only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term, “once in a blue moon.”

blue moon may 21 2016, blue moon, blue moon explained, next blue moon may 21 2016, once in a blue moon, blue moon phenomenon, blue moon rare phenomenon

There are normally only three full moons in each season of the year.

blue moon may 21 2016, blue moon, blue moon explained, next blue moon may 21 2016, once in a blue moon, blue moon phenomenon, blue moon rare phenomenon

But since full moons occur every 29.53 days, occasionally a season will contain 4 full moons. The extra full moon of the season is known as a blue moon.

Blue moons occur on average once every 2.7 years. The Moon will be fully illuminated on May 21, 2016 at 21:15 UTC.

blue moon may 21 2016, blue moon, blue moon explained, next blue moon may 21 2016, once in a blue moon, blue moon phenomenon, blue moon rare phenomenon

This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Flower Moon because this was the time of year when spring flowers appeared in abundance, but also as the Full Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.

A blue moon is also the second full Moon in a month with two full Moons (next: 31 January, 2018).

Follow us: Facebook and Twitter

2 Comments

Leave a reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.