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Showing posts from October 29, 2020

Spooky Blue Moon a Rare Treat this Halloween

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  This Halloween we get a visit from both the Great Pumpkin and the Blue Moon. Halloween Blue Moons occur 3-4 times on average per century. Illustration: Bob King Let the Halloween mischief begin. As the little ones fill their trick or treat bags, a bright full moon will light the way. All full moons are special, but this one is unique for a couple reasons. It's the second full moon in the month which makes it a Blue Moon. And it happens on Halloween. Enjoy it because the next one won't light up your pumpkin until 2039.  There are three types of Blue Moons — the monthly Blue Moon, the seasonal Blue Moon and a moon that actually looks blue. The time between successive full moons is approximately 29.5 days, so we normally get one full moon per month or 12 per year. To squeeze a second full moon (Blue Moon) in there, the first full moon has to occur at the start of the month to make room for a second full moon (Blue Moon) 29.5 days later at month's end.  October's fi...