By Ranjan Bhaduri
Dec.29, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The recent hullabaloo about the possibility of a Blue moon on New Year’s eve has turned out to be a damp squib. It is not going to take place, at least not in Australia as the web sites and newspapers assumed. The possibility has been ruled out by the leading astronomers. Probably it started when some enthusiastic people misinterpreted the occurrence of a sophomore full moon in a month with blue moon. This phenomena happens once in every two or three years. However, the moon does not undergo any change in its color. According to the lunar calender, a blue moon will be seen on New Year’s Eve. However, its timing is 7:13 p.m. according to the GMT and not as per Australia’s time.

The Australians will get to see the moon on the dawn of 1st January. This means it will not be termed as a blue moon. It is not common place to get the moon, earth and sun in a straight line. After the New Year’s eve, the Australians will get the chance to witness a blue moon on January 30. However, for them February would be a month sans a full moon. It will be succeeded by another Blue moon in March. It was in 2007 when the Australians got to witness their last Blue moon.

The Blue moon is a celestial event that is eagerly awaited by the people interested in astronomy. While the residents of Australia will not get to see blue Moon on Dec 32st, people in UK will have the advantage over them owing to their location and time difference.