Two Full Moons in August to Bring Out Rare Blue Moon

In what is considered as a rarity for astronomers, August will present two full moons, fittingly, each on the first and last day of the month.

Some researchers have coined the second full moon of a month as a "blue moon." According to Space.com, blue moons are typically blue in color, but there is a possibility for a shadow of blue on any moon.

Can the moon really be blue?

According to scientists, yes.

Space.com provided with an example: If there's been a recent forest fire or volcanic eruption that pumped significant smoke or ash into the upper atmosphere, it is possible for the moon to take on a bluish hue.

Back in September 1950, smoke from a Canadian forest caused a blue moon, as did the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991.

As for August's two full moons. The first will take place on Aug. 1 and the second will be on Aug. 31. The last time there were two full moons in one month was August 2008.

In Asia, the two full moons signifies the Hindu deity Krishna's birthday

"The second full moon that appears in a calendar month is named blue moon. But it will not look blue in colour. We call it a blue moon because this phenomenon happens only every 2.5 years," said AstroVed.com Director Maya Benkovich to AsianAge.com.

Astrologer S. Ramachandran said, the occurrence could bring an increase of rainfall, "The planetary positions are also very favorable and so we will receive good rainfall in August," he added.

If you miss the two full moons, the next opportunity will be July 2015, also on the 1^st and 31^st of the month.