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What makes a full moon a seasonal blue moon like the one on 19-20 August 2024?

Question #151615. Asked by BigTriviaDawg.
Last updated Aug 17 2024.
Originally posted Aug 17 2024 8:21 PM.

psnz

Answer has 2 votes

psnz

5 year member
1008 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.

It's all about the number of full moons between the solstice and the equinox (or vice versa.)

What is a blue moon?
There are two types of blue moons: seasonal and monthly. August 2024's full moon will be of the seasonal variety.

Normally there are three full moons during an astronomical season - the period of time between the solstice and the equinox, or vice versa - writes NASA. But when there are four full moons in a single season (on this occasion, summer), the third of the four is considered a blue moon.

Monthly blue moons happen roughly every 2-3 years. The term refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2024/08/16/when-is-august-2024-supermoon-blue-moon-will-moon-turn-blue-full-moon-nasa/74824650007/

A seasonal blue moon occurs about every 2.5 years, compared to every 2.7 years for a monthly blue moon.

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2024/08/13/when-is-the-next-full-moon-discover-why-augusts-sturgeon-moon-is-special/74683995007/

Response last updated by psnz on Aug 17 2024.
Aug 17 2024, 8:24 PM

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What makes a full moon a seasonal blue moon like the one on 19-20 August 2024?

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