Blue Moons

[Sly77]

Ok serious qn here. Theres a Blue Moon coming up at the end of December and I've been trying to find out what exactly a blue moon is. I've found two different answers so far

1: It's when 2 full moons happen in the one month - the 2nd one is called a Blue Moon and;

2: Its when there are 4 full moons in a season (rather than 3) and extra one (I think thats the third) is called a blue moon

Does anyone actually know the correct answer it's really beginning to bug me!

 

[Fat Red]

I can't quote any authority, but I always thought it was number 1.

 

[Bee]

Sly, I have always been told it is when 2 full moons happen in a month.

That's where the old saying comes from "Once in a blue moon".

 

[Lethal]

yeah,im pretty sure its when 2 happen in a month also

 

[Sly77]

Thanks guys - but I've also read an article from an astronomers mag (Sky & Telescope or something like that) which tears shreds through the #1 arguement. However, a different website says that that article was incorrect......


I HAVE NO IDEA.

The once in a blue moon saying dates back to at least Shakesperean times, however, in the astronomical sense its only been used in the last 60.

I'm confused!!!!!!

 

[Blues2001]

Originally posted by Sly77


1: It's when 2 full moons happen in the one month - the 2nd one is called a Blue Moon and;

2: Its when there are 4 blue moons in a season (rather than 3) and extra one (I think thats the third) is called a blue moon

I think its number one. Mainly because that's what I've always thought it to be, and that option number 2 makes no sense

 

[Sly77]

Re: Re: Blue Moons

Originally posted by Blues2001


I think its number one. Mainly because that's what I've always thought it to be, and that option number 2 makes no sense

Ahhhhhh but option 2 does make sense - basically the theory behind option 2 was that there is generally 3 full moons a season, however the occassional one has 4. There was more to it regarding the month, time of month etc that this extra one happens - but it all made sense. Hence why I'm confused!

 

[Blues2001]

Re: Re: Re: Blue Moons

Originally posted by Sly77


Ahhhhhh but option 2 does make sense - basically the theory behind option 2 was that there is generally 3 full moons a season, however the occassional one has 4.

I see now. It was just that you wrote that it was when there were 4 'blue' moons in a season rather than 3. What you meant to write is that option two means there are four 'full' moons in a season, rather than 3.

Clear as mud?

 

[Fat Red]

Sly, I wouldn't have thought it was that uncommon for there to be 4 full moons in a season. Assuming a season=3 months, that is about 91 days, and a lunar cycle is about 28 days, this would happen once or twoice a year.

 

[topdon]

Sly ... i'll show you my blue moon if you ask nicely

 

[Santos L Helper]

I think it's when Carlton etc and the rest of the peanut gallery come up with something intelligent to post.

 

[Sly77]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Blue Moons

Originally posted by Blues2001


I see now. It was just that you wrote that it was when there were 4 'blue' moons in a season rather than 3. What you meant to write is that option two means there are four 'full' moons in a season, rather than 3.

Clear as mud?

Oops - fixed

But my problem still isnt solved!

Some years it can happen once, some years twice and some (ie 1999) not at all......

I'm not going to let this get the better of me!

 

[Sly77]

Originally posted by topdon
Sly ... i'll show you my blue moon if you ask nicely

Oh please my dear




NOT

 

[K9-54]

The 2 options are essentially the same thing. To have 4 in 3 months requires 2 in 1 and visa versa.

 

[Nic]

On a similar subject, isn't there supposed to be an eclipse coming up???