A 'blue moon' is a real phenomenon, but in reality it does not appear even nearly as blue as depicted in the picture. It still looks quite white. As crfwannabe said, it has nothing to do with the apparent colour of the moon - it means that the month has one 'extra moon'; 13 instead of 12. If you miss it tonight, you will have to wait roughly another 3 years before the next one appears. It's uncommon, but certainly not rare.
Next year the moon will actually appear blue because blue dust in the atmosphere. So really there are 2 meanings for blue moon
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· 8 years ago
Can someone explain this to me? It seems like there's some sort of word play I'm supposed to be catching but don't get the phrase. Sorry please and thank you
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Edited 8 years ago
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· 8 years ago
There is a common expression, 'once in a blue moon', that is used to describe an event that is very rare, or does not happen often. It's used in every day language, not astronomically.
Then, there is the actual astronomical event itself. Interestingly, it, too, is quite rare (if you miss it this year, you will have to wait until 2018 to see it again). So, if the astronomical event (the real "blue" moon) happens then, because it is uncommon, it will be figuratively 'once in a blue moon'.
My grandpa's brother and his brother's wife both died within a blue moon month. And are you saying that, as well as having two full moons in a month making it the astrological sense of the phrase blue moon, the moon is also going to appear blue?
They call it a blue moon because it appears twice in one month. Next year I think we'll actually see the moon appear blue. So really there are 2 def for the term
Then, there is the actual astronomical event itself. Interestingly, it, too, is quite rare (if you miss it this year, you will have to wait until 2018 to see it again). So, if the astronomical event (the real "blue" moon) happens then, because it is uncommon, it will be figuratively 'once in a blue moon'.