Not Quite a Blue Moon

A full moon comes every month. 

Tonight was one of those nights.

The 2nd full moon in a month with 2 full moons is the more common definition of a blue moon.  It could also be the 3rd full moon in an astronomical season with 4 full moons , instead of the normal 3. Apparently there is a different name for the full moon each month (at least in America).

The below is taken from an article from The Sun

January – Wolf Moon

January’s full moon was named for the howling of wolves that would often be heard outside Native American villages in January.

This year, the full Wolf Moon took place on January 12 at 11.33am.

February – Snow Moon

February is the month known to be the most snowy in North America.

This year, the full Snow Moon takes place on February 11 at 12.32am.

March – Worm Moon

As the temperature begins to warm in March, the ground begins to thaw and earthworms begin to rear their heads.

This year, the Full Worm moon takes place on March 12 at 2.53pm.

April – Pink Moon

In April, the weather is warmer and flowers start to appear.

This moon name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox – one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring.

This year, the full Pink Moon takes place on April 11 at 7.08am.

May – Flower Moon

The May full moon was given  this name as this is when flowers are in full bloom.

This year, the full Flower Moon takes place on May 10 at 10.42pm.

A strawberry moon over London marking the Summer Solstice   

June – Strawberry Moon

Strawberry picking season is at its peak in June.

This year, the full Strawberry Moon takes place on June 9 at 2.09pm.

July – Buck Moon

In July, bucks begin to grow antlers covered in velvety hair.

This year, the full Buck Moon takes place on July 9 at 5.06am.

August – Sturgeon Moon

Fishing tribes named the August moon for the sturgeon – as they were most readily caught during this month.

This year, the full Sturgeon Moon takes place on August 7 at at 7.10pm.

September – Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon most commonly occurs in September, but the name goes to the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, which can fall during October once or twice every decade.

The name was given to the September moon by Native Americans because it marked when corn was supposed to be harvested.

This year the full Harvest Moon takes place on September 6 at 8.02am.

October – Hunter’s Moon

The name was given as hunters were able to ride easily over the fields and animals are more easily spotted.

This year, the full Hunter’s Moon takes place on October 5 at 7.40pm.

November – Beaver Moon

In November, beavers are busy preparing themselves for winter – and tribes would make time to set beaver traps in the hope of securing a store of warm fur.

This year, the full Beaver Moon takes place on November 4 at 5.22am.

December – Cold Moon

Needless to say, December was named after the cold, winter weather.

It is the month when winter takes a firm hold and temperatures plummet.

This moon is sometimes also called the Long Night Moon – as the winter nights are longer and the moon spends more time above the horizon opposite a low sun.

This year, the full Cold Moon takes place on December 3 at 3.46pm.