the winter season begins at the winter solstice and ends at the spring equinox, the spring season begins at the spring equinox and ends at the summer solstice and so on).
This is the most complicated definition for people using the standard calendar, as the astronomical seasons begin and end at the equinoxes and solstices (e.g.
Onto the next one meaning full#
Traditionally the definition of a blue moon is the third full Moon in an astronomical season containing four full moons. Which of the 13 full moons is the blue moon is up for debate. This additional full moon does not fit with the normal naming scheme and so is instead referred to as a ‘blue moon’. This falls some way short of the 365/366 days in a calendar year: therefore, roughly every two and a half years a 13th full moon is seen. However, the phases of the Moon actually take 29.5 days to complete, meaning 354 days total for 12 full cycles. With the cycle of the phases of the Moon lasting approximately one month, and there being 12 months in a year, we typically have 12 full moons each year. See images of the Moon at the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition What is a blue moon?Ĭultures around the world, including the Native Americans, have given names to each of the full Moons, with each typically happening in its own month.įor example the 'wolf moon' is usually the full Moon occurring within January. In 2018 unusually, we had two blue moons in one year and only two months apart – and one was a lunar eclipse! The next time we will get two blue moons in a year will be 2037. Normally blue moons come only about every two or three years. Instead, it is all to do with the timing of full moons during the year. Find out more about them below. Think something happening 'once in a blue moon' is rare? Actually blue moons are fairly common, at least in astronomical terms.įirst things first: a blue moon has nothing to do with the colour of the Moon. What is a blue moon and how often does it occur?
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