Blue moon, bright Mars shine this weekend, but likely behind clouds

Blue Moon - Chris Isaak

If the rain clouds part, you can see a blue moon and the planet Mars at its brightest this weekend.

The full moon arrives at 5:14 p.m. Saturday, though it won"t rise until 8:07 p.m. in Baltimore. Typically, May"s full moon isknown as the Flower Moon, Corn Planting Moon or Milk Moon, according to the Farmer"s Almanac.

It is also a blue moon because it is the third of four full moons to occur this spring. Most seasons have just three full moons. The first this spring occurred just after the vernal equinox March 23, and the last occurs hours before the summer solstice on June 20.

That doesn"t mean it will appear blue, or that it will be any bigger or brighter than it otherwise would.

It will have a bright companion, though. Mars will be at its brightest since 2003 because it will be unusually close to Earth at the same time it reaches what is known as opposition, when its face is fully illuminated by the sun.

The last time such a coincidence occurred was Aug. 28, 2003, and the next isn"t until July 27, 2018, according to EarthSky.org.

Unfortunately, it could be difficult to spot both. If the clouds part Saturday night, with rain expected through the evening, you can spot the moon and Mars side by side moving across the southern half of the sky.

Mostly cloudy skies are also forecast Sunday evening, though they are expected to clear through the night. On Sunday night, Saturn will be the bright planet right next to the moon, with bright Mars a little farther away.

Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/weather-blog/bal-wx-blue-moon-and-mars-shine-this-weekend-but-likely-behind-clouds-20160520-story.html

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Tidal Creek Co-op celebrates Blue Moon

Beck - Blue Moon (Audio)

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) Friday nights blue moon offered one business a chance to celebrate. The Tidal Creek Co-op in Wilmington hosts a party every full moon but Friday nights event was a rare occurrence.

Mitch Duke is a regular at the Tidal Creek Co-op for one simple reason.They cook a lot better than I do, said Duke.I eat here twice a day everyday.

Duke is one of many who likes to take advantage of the locally grown food, but its also the events that keeps him coming back.

We have it out on the deck and theres music and events going on but looks like tonight its just going to be inside, said Duke.

The Howl at the Moon party was planned in honor of the rare blue moon, a full moon that appears a second time in a month. This time they even had Blue Moon Brewery Company beer on sale. And though the moon is rare, Christopher Copeland, a chef, said the celebrations at this co-op arent.

Its really celebrating just a beautiful event that happens every 28 days. The moon rises and of course theres an energy around and we are just celebrating that and throwing a big party, cooking good for everybody, said Copeland.

Will Copeland, another chef, said these celebrations are not only for co-op owners.

It gets everybody involved gets all the families, and stuff, owners and to try to spread the word to people who arent owners to come and see, because theres people in Wilmington who dont know we are here, said Copeland.

Employees tell us they are always looking for more owners and community events like these are one way to reach out to potential owners.

Source: http://www.wwaytv3.com/2015/08/01/tidal-creek-co-op-celebrates-blue-moon/

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See an Incredible Photo of Friday Night"s Blue Moon

Blue Moon (Frank Sinatra - with Lyrics)
TIMEScienceastronomySee an Incredible Photo of Friday Nights Blue MoonEduardo MunozReutersA full moon, known as the Blue Moon, is seen next to the Statue of Liberty in New York on July 31, 2015.It usually happens just once every couple of years

The second full moon of July rose Friday night, a phenomenon referred to as a blue moon.

Though the phrase once in a blue moon is meant to describe a rare event, a blue moon is neither rare, or blue. Blue moon is actually a term used to describe the second full moon in a single calendar month. Most years only have 12 moons, but this year has 13, which happens every two to three years, according to astronomers. Blue moons dont actually appear blue, but the moon can appear blue after events on earth like wildfires and volcanic eruptions, according to NASA.

Source: http://time.com/3981125/blue-moon-photo/

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