People from South America, North America, Europe, and Asia will witness the wonderful Halloween moon.
Halloween is a special event for most of us but this year it is going to even more exceptional. If you are wondering why you will find the answer now. A rare blue moon will appear in the skies on the night of Halloween.
The phenomenon is called a blue moon because it will be the second time that a full moon would be appearing in the skies in a single month, according to CNN. Moreover, the sight is a rare occurrence. According to NASA's National Space Science Data Center, it only takes place once every two and a half years on average.
On Halloween, the sky will be lit up by a rare blue moon on the scariest night of the year. https://t.co/JBDQ5V7NOD— ABC News (@ABC) September 20, 2020
Though a full moon graces the skies every month, the appearance of two in a month happens only when the lunar cycle is not in going in sync with the calendar year. Therefore, a rare phenomenon only happens every two or three years.
If you are already excited about seeing a blue moon, you should know one more thing. Even though the name suggests that the moon would have a blue color, it is not the case most of the time.
However, most pictures show the moon with a blue glow. This is usually because the color of the moon is altered or it has been shot with a blue filter. The bluish tint can only be seen in the event of a major volcanic eruption mainly because of the resultant dust particles or smoke in the atmosphere.
Spooky season is almost upon us -- and this year it will be a little bit spookier with a rare blue moon. https://t.co/lmAdWqAVRp— CNN (@CNN) September 21, 2020
According to EarthSky, the idea of the blue moon came about in an article titled, Once in a Blue Moon. The writer, James Hugh Pruett came up with the term to make it easier for people to understand the 1937 Maine Farmer’s Almanac. "Seven times in 19 years there were – and still are – 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon," wrote Pruett.
Sounds about right for 2020...although it’s spooky even without the blue moon 🌝— Pamela Uckermann 🇮🇪 (@UckermannPamela) September 21, 2020
The first full moon or the harvest moon will appear on the first day of October while the blue moon will appear on the day of Halloween that is 31 October, 2020. Interestingly, the Halloween moon will only reappear next on October 31 in 2039. This is mainly because this rare cosmic display only happens once every 19 years.
According to the Daily Mail, the moon is very special for those in the US as it is the first blue moon since March 2018. Meanwhile, those belonging to the Central and Pacific time zones will be witnessing the occurrence after 2001, as per Farmer's Almanac.
Moreover, it is the first time that the blue moon will appear for all time zones since 1944. This once in a blue moon event will interest many stargazers from all across the globe. People from India, Europe, and Asia will also be able to witness the wonderful Halloween moon.
A rare blue moon is set to light up the sky on Oct. 31.https://t.co/IhqRxJoR2J— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) September 20, 2020
If you are already thrilled by what you just read, you should know there is more. People will be able to witness 13 full moons this year compared to the usual 12. Twitter users have already shared their excitement.
"Sounds about right for 2020...although it’s spooky even without the blue moon," wrote one user. "The October 31 2020 Full moon is a blue moon. ‘Once in a blue moon’ I expect events to get stranger," wrote another.
With the spooky moon appearance, all you should have one amazing Halloween, So start shopping for your costumes and enjoy the night.