Despite the immense amount of information that exists denying it, they continue to sneak it in from time to time with the topic of colored moons. Just look at what happened last April with the famous pink moon. Many people looked at the sky again, hoping that our satellite would turn strawberry colored. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Now, we read everywhere that we will have a blue moon in May. This is a real term. The blue moon exists. But no, it’s not the color you’re imagining.
When? The blue moon of May will be seen next day 31. Without a doubt, it will be a beautiful moment to look at the sky, but simply because a full moon is always a great spectacle. Not because it’s visibly special.
Two in a month or four in a season. Actually, the term “blue moon” is used to talk about an extra moon. The Moon goes around the Earth in 29.5 days, so we normally have 12 full moons in a year. One every month. However, since it does not coincide exactly with the 30 or 31 days of the month (or less if it is February), it may happen that from time to time two full moons fall in the same month. That extra moon is what is known as a blue moon.
On the other hand, the same thing happens with the seasons. There are usually three at each station. However, since the solar and lunar calendars do not coincide exactly, sometimes there can be four in the same season. The third of these moons is what is also known as the blue moon.
It’s not blue. Curiously, the term “blue moon” comes from a poor translation from Old English. When speaking of stationary blue moons, the third full moon of a four-year season It was known as the “traitor moon.”. This is a deceptive moon, since it seems that the season is already ending, but no. There is still another full moon. In Old English the term “belewe” was used as “traitor”. However, this became “blue” as it spread from word to mouth and it began to be called a blue moon. It has nothing to do with its color. To the eye, a blue moon looks exactly like any other.
When it is blue. The moon, full or not, can be seen in different colors depending on the presence of certain particles in the atmosphere. There are some that are capable of dispersing the redder lengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, thus filtering the blue light and causing the sky to be tinted with this tone. With others, just the opposite happens and the sky turns red.
Generally, particles emitted by volcanoes erupt They are of the first type. That is why in 1883, during a Krakatoa eruptionmany witnesses began to say that the moon had turned blue. There, the term took on a new nuance. However, it is simply an exception.
More common than it seems. Blue moons are actually quite common. It is estimated that between 1550 and 2650 there will be 408 seasonal blue moons and 456 monthly blue moons. Next year, without going any further, we will have another one, also in May, although this time it will be seasonal and will happen on the 20th. In short, don’t let them fool you with the color, but take advantage of the fact that this month you have two full moons and look up. There is no better way to decorate the sky than with a good full moon.
Image | Contri from Yonezawa, Yamagata, Japan
In Xataka | Light pollution is a growing problem. So researchers have put it on a map
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings