Blue Moon rises over Jackson County

A legendary Blue Moon is rising over Jackson County tonight. It is the third appearance of a full moon since the beginning of fall and is considered the oldest type of Blue Moon.

In more recent times, the term Blue Moon has come to mean the second full moon in a single month, but long before this use of the term came into use, a Blue Moon was the third full moon of four to appear between a solstice and an equinox. Usually there are only three full moons to appear between the beginning of a season and a mid-point of the year, so seasons when there are four are extremely rare. Hence the term, "Once in a Blue Moon."

The Blue Moon has long been associated with sadness and disaster, and of course the passage of long periods of time.

Seasonal Blue Moons, like the one tonight, are extremely rare. The next two will be on August 21, 2013 and May 21, 2016.