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• When are the next ones?
• 2015 July 31
• 2018 January 31 and March 31 (no February full moon)
• 2020 October 31
• 2023 August 31
• 2026 May 31
• 2028 December 31
• 2031 September 30
• Usually, there is only one Blue Moon in any one blue-moon year - unless February has no full moon at all. In that case, there are two blue-moon months in the same year. Hence, there are a total of 8 blue-moon months for the next 19 years.
• Back to the August 31, 2012 Blue Moon. It'll look like an ordinary full moon, not blue at all. But that won't stop the Blue Moon parties around the world! If you're having one, or going to one, have fun.
• By the way, we should mention that this 2012 Blue Moon comes on August 31 for most - but not all - of the world. If you live in the far eastern part of the globe - like in New Zealand or far eastern Russia - the full moon happens after midnight, in the wee hours on September 1. So for that part of the world, it's the first of two September 2012 full moons. Their Blue Moon won't happen until September 30, 2012.
• Astronomical almanacs usually list the time of full moon by Universal Time (UT). Today's full moon comes on August 31 at 13:58 (1:58 p.m.) Universal Time. If you wish to find out the full moon time for your time zone, you must convert Universal Time to your time zone. Here's how to translate Universal Time into your time zone
• Bottom line: For most of the world, the August 31, 2012 full moon is the second of two full moons this month. That's why it'll be called by the name Blue Moon. If you live in the far eastern part of the globe (eastern Russia or New Zealand, for example), it's the first of two September full moons for you. Either way, 2012 is a blue-moon year for everyone!
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