Explanation:
Rising at sunset, the gorgeous Full Moon of
August 31 became the second Full Moon in a month.
According to modern reckoning,
that makes it a Blue Moon.
In fact, parts of the Full Moon do look a little blue in
this sharp lunar portrait.
Taken just hours before the exact full phase in
delightfully clear skies over Nottingham, UK, it features
eye-catching bright rays extending from the prominent young
crater Tycho in the Moon's southern hemisphere.
The slightly color enhanced image also brings out
subtle shades of blue, a
real characteristic of
terrain with a high content of titanium oxide and iron.
The blue
lunar terrain on the right includes
the dark flat expanse of the Sea of Tranquility and
the Apollo 11 landing site.
Gallery:
Blue Moon
