Short Wave Micro Wave: "Once In A Blue Moon" Is Happening Again This Halloween
Oct 30, 2020
This Halloween brings a rare blue moon, prompting a dive into its scientific and cultural significance. What does 'once in a blue moon' really mean, and is the moon ever actually blue? The hosts unpack the lunar cycle, exploring how sunlight plays with the moon's phases. They discuss the uniqueness of this Halloween event, not seen since 1944, while debunking myths about the moon's hue. With playful banter and intriguing lunar facts, this episode is a celestial treat for science enthusiasts and folklore lovers alike!
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Blue Moon Definition
- A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month.
- This happens roughly every 2.7 years.
Historical Blue Moon Definition
- The term "blue moon" previously referred to the third full moon in a season with four.
- This older definition is known as a seasonal blue moon.
Halloween Blue Moon
- While blue moons occur every 2.7 years, a Halloween full moon is rarer.
- The last time a full moon occurred on Halloween for the entire U.S. was in 1944.