Ring in the New Year with a Rare Blue Moon

Party goers will get a special treat as they ring in the New Year on Thursday night. A somewhat rare New Year’s Eve blue moon will illuminate the night skies.

According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month, and it occurs every 2.5 years on average. However, blue moons appearing on New Year’s Eve are much more rare. The last time we had one on New Year’s Eve was way back in 1990. Since they only occur every 19 years, you won’t see another one on New Year’s Eve until 2028.

The blue moon will be visible, weather permitting, in the US, Canada, Europe, South America, and Africa. According to Jack Horkheimer, director emeritus of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium and host of a weekly astronomy TV show, “If you’re in Times Square, you’ll see the full moon right above you. It’s going to be that brilliant.” Here in Dallas, the moon should be visible in the eastern sky near the constellation Gemini as we say goodbye to 2009 and ring in the New Year.