Blue Moon Can Be Watched Tonight, Here's Its Origin

Illustration of a blue moon (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The phenomenon of the blue moon or blue moon can be observed throughout Indonesia on Sunday, August 22 night.

"This time the blue moon can be seen throughout Indonesia from sunset to before sunrise the next morning," said researcher from the Center for Space Science of the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) Andi Pangerang, as reported by Antara.

The blue moon is visible in the East-Southeast to West-Southwest direction. For latitudes of 1-2 degrees North Latitude (LU), the blue moon will be overhead at midnight.

Andi said that there are two definitions of a blue moon, namely a seasonal blue moon and a monthly blue moon.

Seasonal blue moon, which is the third full moon of one of the astronomical seasons in which there are four full moons.

Monthly blue moon, which is the second full moon of one of the months in the Gregorian calendar in which there are two full moons.

The full moon tonight is a seasonal blue moon. In the Maine Farmers' Almanac in the United States, the full moon is called the Sturgeon's Full Moon because in August, the Sturgeon (a caviar-producing fish) comes to the surface of the lake making it easy to catch.

The full moon also has other names, namely Green Corn Moon, Black Cherry Moon, and Flying Up Moon.

The seasonal blue moon occurs every two or three years, previously on May 19, 2019, and May 22, 2016. The phenomenon will occur again on August 20, 2024, and May 20, 2027.

The monthly blue moon also occurs every two or three years, previously on July 31, 2015, and January 31, 2018. This phenomenon will occur again on August 31, 2023, and May 31, 2026.

Andi said that the blue moon is not actually blue. The historical origins of the term and its two definitions are still ambiguous and most consider it a misinterpretation.

Many people believe the term "blue moon" which is interpreted as something that happens very rarely comes from when smog and volcanic ash from volcanic eruptions turn the moon blue.

The term "blue moon" dates back at least 400 years from current searches, in which a Canadian folklore speaker, Dr. Philip Hiscock, suggested that the mention of a "blue moon" means that something is odd and will never happen.

A truly blue moon can occur very rarely and has nothing to do with the calendar, the phases of the moon, or the fall of the seasons, but rather a result of atmospheric conditions. Volcanic ash and smog, airborne droplets, or certain types of clouds can cause a full moon to appear bluish.