Tonight is once in a blue moon - Some say it's a wink to the late Neil Armstrong - Next one in 2015
It may be nothing more than a rare astronomical quirk but a rare "blue moon" today will surely put a song into the heart of romantics everywhere.
The phenomenon occurs when there is a second full moon in one calendar month and the next one will not take place until July 2015. There was previously a full moon this month on August 1. The last "blue moon" was in March 2010.
It is uncommon because the full moon cycle is 29.5 days - hence the phrase "once in a blue moon" to signify a rare occurrence. It does not actually mean the moon will be blue.
Perhaps fittingly, it is taking place on the same day as a memorial service for Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who died last weekend aged 82.
His family has suggested that as a tribute to the astronaut, people should look up at the moon and "give him a wink".
The moon will be at its fullest - reflecting maximum sunlight from the Earth - at 2.59pm UK time but will not be visible in Britain until later.
The reason why the phenomenon is known as a "blue moon" is not certain although according to one explanation the term means "betrayer moon" ("belewe" in Old English).
On other occasions the moon can actually take on a blue colouring but these are the result of ash spewed into the sky by volcanoes.
Today's blue moon may not be of interest to astronomers but could capture the imagination of Manchester City fans, who use the song "Blue Moon" as an unofficial anthem.
Old romantics gazing at the sky will no doubt recall the words of the Rodgers and Hart tune: "Blue moon, you saw me standing alone without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own."
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