You ever heard the phrase “once in a blue moon”? Well, there actually are rare occurrences of a blue moon.  This month’s full moon is rising today, August 20th, and it’s a full blue moon. Don’t miss it.  It’s also the Full Sturgeon Moon, the Full Red Moon, the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon. Call it whatever the Hell you want, but keep an eye on the sky.

 

The Rare Blue Moon

The reason why blue moons are so rare is because they are the third of four full moons in the season. Usually, there are three full moons per season. Every now and then, you get four, with the third qualifying as a blue moon.

Every August, the full moon has been called the Full Sturgeon Moon. Some Native American tribe named it after a fish they caught this time of year. Ironically, they also call it a red moon in August. The warm weather and hazy atmosphere sometimes make it look red, usually early morning or at dusk.

Full moons happen every 29th day or so, but after Tuesday’s event, the next Blue Moon will be in 2015.

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