Colors

Land of the Rising Moon

rjscholten (Premium member) > albums > As Time Marches On

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The modern definition of "blue moon" sprang up in the 1940s, according to the NASA website: "In those days the Maine Farmer's Almanac offered a definition of Blue Moon so convoluted even professional astronomers struggled to understand it. It involved factors such as ecclesiastical dates of Easter and Lent, tropical years, and the timing of seasons according to the dynamical mean sun. Sky & Telescope published an article in 1946 entitled "Once in a Blue Moon".... (and) opined that the "second [full moon] in a month... is called Blue Moon." This was not correct, but at least it could be understood." According to "Sky and Telescope: "As a result of extensive studying... we have the "Maine rule" for Blue Moons: Seasonal Moon names are assigned near the spring equinox in accordance with the ecclesiastical rules for determining the dates of Easter and Lent. The beginnings of summer, fall, and winter are determined by the dynamical mean Sun. When a season contains four full Moons, the third is called a Blue Moon." According to NASA, REAL blue moons can also exist: "The cause of the blue was probably tiny droplets of water in the air. The air was damp and heavy with moisture", explained one scientist. "When water droplets are about 1 micron (one millionth of a meter) in diameter, they strongly scatter red and green light while allowing other colors to pass. A white moonbeam passing through such a misty cloud turns blue. Clouds of ice crystals, fine-grained sand, volcanic ash or smoke from forest fires can have the same effect. "The key is that the airborne particles should all be of very similar size, a micron or so in diameter." Only then do they scatter the correct wavelengths of moonlight and act as a blue filter." Other reasons for blue Moons cited: "Our eyes have automatic 'white balances' just like digital cameras. Go outdoors from a cozy cabin lit by an oil lamp (yellow light) and the Moon will appear blue until your eyes adjust." NOTE: This photo has been "slightly altered", meaning a blue blob was put on the photo over the moom using Photoshop. (dsc_8117blue)

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19 comments

  • I have not seen this particular phenomena before. How beautiful is that (altered or not)??? Thank you...

    said photo of habersham100 habersham100 10 months 13 days ago

  • Randy this is stunning. Also I just became edgeamacated LOL. I use to play Blue Moon on the piano. I love this album. I worked most of the day. I hope to upload tomorrow. Sweet Dreams... Susan..;)

    said photo of swtsoftcountry swtsoftcountry 10 months 13 days ago

  • I love this one, but was the moon really this blue as you looked up at it? I like all of the information you give on each beautiful shot! Thanks, Tonya

    said photo of Tonyaalex3 Tonyaalex3 10 months 12 days ago

  • How creepy!!

    said photo of rboise rboise 10 months 12 days ago

  • Now that is a blue moon! Very eerie!

    said photo of rainingviolets rainingviolets 10 months 12 days ago

  • Randy, You mean to tell me there's no Photoshop goin' on here? If this is the real thing, then I ain't never seen nuthin' like it before! Amazin' grace got such a hold on my soul, I lost my grammer.

    said photo of paulewing paulewing 10 months 12 days ago

  • First one I opened, of course, it drew me in like a magnet..... it looks like the eye of God! Wonderful effects and fantastic commentary, which I find absolutely fascinating!! I would love to see this without the blue dot ..... it may be here, I just haven't seen it yet .... now I'll begin with the first image, as you intended I am sure. I do love your storyboards! Thank you for the invitation!! I'll be back tomorrow... it's late, I was trying to post my new images from yesterday and it took hours!! God! My computer just isn't smart enough for me, it complains and slogs along when I am trying to work as it doesn't have enough virtual memory for my photo processing software, and when I give it a command when working with my images it cannot do two things at once and leaves me waiting..... rolling my eyes, running my fingers through my hair and trying not to curse out loud ..... Sweet dreams and I'll see you tomorrow ~ Sharon

    said photo of ourjrny ourjrny 10 months 11 days ago

  • Very breathtaking shot.....even though you did alter it a bit. I love it. Looking at this shot makes me think of a song titled " Eye In The Sky ". Very cool !

    said photo of msbuzz102 msbuzz102 10 months 11 days ago

  • Well done, Randy..

    said photo of rfna70 rfna70 10 months 11 days ago

  • Well, it looks very cool anyway.A nice work of art.

    said photo of Noondueler Noondueler 10 months 11 days ago

  • Randy this was the first picture I opened. It is stunning and I love the lengthy explanation of what and when a blue moon occurs. I would also love to see this picture without the blue blob that you put over the moon using Photoshop. Either way it is a stunning picture. You are really good......Marion

    said photo of headrick headrick 10 months 10 days ago

  • It's watching me!!Ahhh....and following too...Annie :.)

    said photo of ann7f ann7f 10 months 9 days ago

  • is so exotique :)

    said photo of tonymm6491 tonymm6491 10 months 4 days ago

  • This should be Gallery. This photo is breathtaking. Keep these photos coming. What a true Artist.

    said photo of ckanaan ckanaan 10 months 2 days ago

  • LOL - I love it! Also love your caption! - DeeAnne

    said photo of missdee101 missdee101 10 months 2 days ago

  • WOW WOW Speachless,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    said photo of pjlock350 pjlock350 9 months 29 days ago

  • Awesome image!! Thanks for sharing!!

    said photo of dlucas127 dlucas127 5 months 21 days ago

  • i love this photo!! absolutely breathtaking.

    said photo of dmschewe17 dmschewe17 5 months 14 days ago

  • i love this photo!! absolutely breathtaking.

    said photo of dmschewe17 dmschewe17 5 months 14 days ago

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