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Blue Moon

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At InclusiveIAS, we understand the significance of Science and Technology in the UPSC Prelims and the challenges students face in mastering this subject. To address these issues, we have launched Science Corner, a dedicated space where aspirants can access comprehensive and meticulously curated notes tailored specifically for Prelims. Our aim is to simplify complex topics, align content with the evolving exam trends, and empower aspirants with a strong foundation to tackle Science and Technology questions confidently.By bridging the gap between complexity and clarity, this initiative reflects our philosophy of making UPSC preparation inclusive, effective, and student-centric.

Blue Moon

There are a couple of definitions of a blue moon.

  • First-A second full moon in a single month is called a blue moon.(This is endorsed by NASA.)
      • Hence, it is important to note that the term Blue Moon has nothing to do with the actual colour of the moon. 
    • Blue Moon happens approximately every two to three years.
    • The period from one full moon to another is about 29 1/2 days, so when two occur in the same month, the first of these full moons is always on the first or second day of the month.
    • Months with 31 days—January, March, May, July, August, October, and December—are more likely to have a blue moon due to their longer duration.
    • February, which has only 28 days (29 days in leap years), can never have a blue moon.
  • Second–The 2nd definition relies on the astronomical season, defined as a period between a solstice and an equinox.
    • The Maine Farmers’ Almanac in 1937 defined a blue Moon as the third full Moon in a quarterly season of four full Moons.

Super Blue Moon

  •  When the full moon is both a blue moon and a super moon, it is called Super Blue Moon.
Additional Information

Black Moon:A black moon is a rare astronomical phenomenon that occurs when there are two new moons  in the same month. A new moon is the phase of the moon when it is not visible from Earth, because it is  aligned with the sun and the Earth. A black moon is the opposite of a blue moon, which is when there are  two full moons in the same month. In this article, we will explore the causes, effects, and significance of  the black moon.

Blood Moon:During a total lunar eclipse, sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere that breaks down its constituent colours, and the red part gets scattered by the atmosphere.This scattered red light falls on the Moon’s surface, giving it a reddish copper hue, which is known as the Blood Moon phenomenon.