Look For a Blue Moon this Friday

Blue Moons have inspired movies, tv shows, and many. many songs, but how many of us actually remember seeing a Blue Moon? Well, you are going to get your chance this Friday, July 31! A blue moon isn't technically blue, it's just what happens when there are 2 full moons in one month. The first full moon we had this month was on July 2, and now, again, on the 31st.

According to the U.S. Naval Observatory:

“The traditional definition is that of the third Full Moon to occur in an astronomical season in which four Full Moons fall. While somewhat more cryptic than the ‘second-of-the-month’ variety, this scheme helped farmers and other people who used traditional Full Moon names to keep the proper names in synch with the occasional “extra” Full Moon that occurs about every 2.6 years. The “controversy” over the proper definition of the “Blue Moon” dates back to an erroneous discussion of the phenomenon that was originally published in 1946 and subsequently re-discovered in 1999.”

According to the Farmers Almanac, the Full Moon name for the month of July is Full Buck Moon, because 'July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.' Just one of the reasons why we love the Farmers Almanac!