The blue moon on Sunday…a rare astronomical phenomenon that arouses the world’s curiosity

The term “blue moon” returns to the forefront every time the sky witnesses this rare astronomical phenomenon that attracts the interest of astronomers and people around the world, not only because of its strange name, but also because of the symbolism and mystery it carries that have been associated with it over the decades.

Although the name suggests that the moon will turn blue, the truth is completely different, as the “blue moon” is not related to the color of the moon as much as it is related to the timing of its appearance. This term is given to the second full moon that appears within one Gregorian month, and it is a phenomenon that does not occur often, making it an exceptional astronomical event.

Astronomers explain that the full moon cycle takes about 29.5 days, which sometimes leads to the appearance of two full moons in the same month, especially in months that consist of 31 days. When this happens, the second full moon is called a “blue moon.”

In some very rare cases, the moon may appear actually blue as a result of natural factors, most notably huge fires or volcanic eruptions that release fine particles into the atmosphere that scatter light, giving the moon a bluish color. But this phenomenon remains exceptional and is not related to the common name.

The blue moon holds a special place in popular cultures and ancient myths, as it is associated with transformations and unusual events, and the famous English expression “Once in a Blue Moon” was used to indicate rare things that happen once every long period.

In the era of social networking sites, this phenomenon is turning into a global event, as photographers and astronomers are racing next Sunday to take pictures of the full moon and share it on digital platforms, while some astronomical observatories are organizing special activities to follow up and monitor the event.