August is a good month for anyone who enjoys gazing at the night sky. Already amid the Perseid meteor shower, which is expected to peak around the middle of August, the masses will also get a chance to witness the rare occurrence of a blue moon this Monday.
What is a blue moon?
Sorry to disappoint you, Dallas, but a blue moon isn’t actually blue. Rather, the blue moon has more to do with the occurrence of a full moon in relation to other full moons in a season.
There are actually two definitions of a full moon. The one commonly accepted version is that of a second full moon in a month. Per NASA, the initial definition of a blue moon is the third full moon in a season of four full moons.
That said, is the VERY rare phenomenon when blue moons casts a blue hue, but that is only in the event such as volcanic activity in which ash or other particles cast into the sky create a filter effect.
How often do blue moons occur?
As the expression “once in a blue moon” suggests, a blue moon is a relatively rare phenomenon. While the last blue moon occurred as soon as last year, on average, a blue moon happens every 2.5 years.
A complete lunar cycle takes place over the course of around 29 days. With most months terminating between 30 and 31 days, there are 12 lunar cycles throughout the year on average. With that said, it makes it rare when there are two full moons in a month.
When to see the blue moon in Dallas?
The blue moon will take place starting on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 1:26 pm.