Not a Blue Moon (2010 Jan 01)

[APOD Robot]

Not a Blue Moon

Explanation: This bright Full Moon was captured on December 2nd, shining above a church overlooking the River Po, in Turin, Italy, It was the first Full Moon in December. Shining on celebrations of New Year's Eve, last night's Full Moon was the second Full Moon of December and so fits the modern definition of a Blue Moon - the second Full Moon in a month. Because the lunar cycle, Full Moon to Full Moon, spans 29.5 days, Blue Moons tend to occur in some month about every 2.5 years. Shining in the glare just above and right of December's first Full Moon is the Pleiades star cluster.

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[neufer]

<<Blue Moon, a Belgian-style witbier brewed by the Molson Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, was launched in 1995. Some weiss and hefeweizen beers are commonly served with a slice of lemon in North America. Blue Moon, however, is traditionally served with a slice of orange. Keith Villa of Molson Coors admitted the orange slice garnish was mostly for attention-getting when Blue Moon is served in a bar.>>

Lunar eclipse to welcome New Year 2010
Published by: Amit Tiwari: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 at 09:51 IST



New Delhi: <<Interestingly, a partial lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) will welcome the New Year 2010. The lunar eclipse will occur when New Year celebrations will be on peak. The partial lunar eclipse is likely to dampen the spirit of New Year celebration as the celestial phenomenon is considered inauspicious in India. The elders of family have asked the students to stay indoors during the eclipse and don't eat or drink during the eclipse period.

The lunar eclipse period will begin at 10.47 pm and will last till 2.58 am. The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 00.21 hrs in the New Year and will conclude at 1.22 am.

Apart from the myth behind the lunar eclipse, the astronomers and scientists are geared up to read the celestial spectacle today. For those who believe in ill-effects of eclipse, priests suggest that people should stay inside the houses and chants religious rhyme to reduce its effects. The astrologers have also advised not to consume food or drink anything during eclipse.>>

<<"Blue Moon" is a classic popular song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934. The narrator of the song is relating a stroke of luck so unlikely that it must have taken place under a blue moon. The title relies on a play on words, since Blue is also the colour of melancholy.>>

[bystander]

http://asterisk.apod.com/vie ... =8&t=17906

[DavidLeodis]

It's a nice picture, but can anyone actually see the Pleiades star cluster in it or if they can would they have readily known it was there if it had not been mentioned in the explanation!

[Case]

can anyone actually see the Pleiades star cluster in it

I had to click through for the higher resolution image, and there it is. Zooming helps a bit.

[neufer]

It's a nice picture, but can anyone actually see the Pleiades star cluster in it or if they can would they have readily known it was there if it had not been mentioned in the explanation!

On can see the Pleiades star cluster by mouse tapping on the picture for full resolution.

But why is Tomorrow's picture: called "star spots?"

[geckzilla]

can anyone actually see the Pleiades star cluster in it

I had to click through for the higher resolution image, and there it is. Zooming helps a bit.

Haha, it's just like in the movies. "Zoom in on that license plate. Now zoom in on that screw. There's a reflection. We just found our murderer."