This month people across India will see a second full moon, a rare phenomenon usually seen once every two-and-a-half years and known as a blue moon. According to Dr P Iyamperumal, executive director, Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, "In India there will be two full moons in June this year. The first was on June 1 and the second will be seen on June 30. The second full moon is called the calendar blue moon."
As there are roughly 29.5 days between full moons, it is very rare for two full moons to fit into a 30 or 31-day month. When a second full moon is seen in the same month, it is called a blue moon, he explained. "For a blue moon to be seen, the first full moon must appear at or near the beginning of the month so that the second will fall within the same month. On an average, there is one blue moon every two-and-a-half years," the scientist said.
The last blue moon was seen in July 2004. After June this year, the next blue moon will be seen in December 2009. It is impossible for a blue moon to be seen in February as it has only 28 or 29 days, he explained. The first full moon of the month was seen at 1.04 am GMT (5.34 am IST) on June 1 in India this year. The day was May 31 for countries such as the US, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil. So, for these countries, the blue moon was seen on May 31 this year as their first full moon was seen on May 2, Dr Iyamperumal explained.
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