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Blue Moon Kickoff Celebration!

Mark your calendars! On July 31st, come celebrate the start of Rhode Island Land Trust’s 4th Annual Land Trust Days under a bright, blue moon with South Kingstown Land Trust, the Astronomical Society of Southern New England! Enjoy a relaxing moonlit hike through the fields of Weeden Farm, a potluck dessert, some complimentary wine and coffee, and a little moon lore by the bonfire. Several astronomers will be on hand with telescopes to give you an expert glimpse into the night and will point out the special features that are only seen from this area of southern Rhode Island. An event like this only happens every ‘once in a blue moon!’

What is so special about a blue moon, you ask? The moon is already special enough as it is — it is the earth’s only natural satellite, and it recently celebrated its 4.6 billionth birthday. You have the moon to thank for the rise and fall of the tide at your favorite beach this summer. But a blue moon? Here are some things that you probably didn’t know about blue moons:

First of all, it’s not actually blue. The name does not reflect its color at all! Occasionally, the full moon can take on a reddish hue, or can appear blue if a forest fire or volcanic eruption dusts the upper atmosphere with ash or smoke. It is thought to be called “blue” after an old English term belewe, meaning “betrayer,” as people would have had to continue fasting for another month in accordance with the season of Lent because of this quirk in the full moon schedule.

There are two definitions for blue moon. The term was assigned originally to the third full moon in a four moon season, but after a 1946 article in “Sky & Telescope” magazine incorrectly defined a blue moon as the second full moon in a single month, the latter definition stuck as well.

It’s only really full for a moment. Although the moon usually looks full one day before and after the date of the full moon, technically, there is only one particular moment when the moon is full in the sky.

It’s kind of a rare sight. Blue moons occur somewhat infrequently — hence the term “once in a blue moon!” Scientists had trouble predicting when the distinctive moon would appear during any given year.

Join us on July 31st at The Barn in Matunuck to learn more! You don’t want to miss this event, because the next blue moon won’t happen for about another 2.7 years!

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If you have questions about a specific Land Trust Day activity, please contact the person and Land Trust listed with that event.
If you have questions about Rhode Island Land Trust Days, please contact:
Land Trust Days Coordinator: Virginia Streeter vstreeter@rilandtrusts.org