Tonight’s Blue Moon is Also a Paschal Moon to Welcome Easter 2018
Here's some handy fun info that will help you impress people at your Easter celebration, and make you look like a science nerd.
We’re seeing the second blue moon of the year tonight, and it's even more special because it will be a Paschal Moon, which only happens leading into the Easter holiday. According to CBS TV in Boston, we see a Blue Moon about once in 2.66 years, but this year so far, we've seen two in just the last three months.
The fact that it's a Paschal Moon means it's the first full moon of spring. The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains:
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or just after the vernal equinox [the official first day of Spring]. This full Moon is referred to as the Paschal full Moon.
What are the best times to check it out? If you want to see it, watch the sky for tonight’s moonrise which will be beginning at 7:25 pm, or Easter Sunday’s moonrise best viewed starting at 8:31 pm.
The Old Farmer's Almanac points out that it's only possible to have a Paschal Blue Moon in March (another impressive fun fact!).