[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] This year’s Halloween Day will feature a 'Halloween Blue Moon' for the first time in 19 years.
The Gwacheon National Science Museum announced that on the 31st at 8 p.m., it will observe and provide commentary on the 'Halloween Blue Moon,' which appears for the first time in 19 years, via YouTube.
The museum stated, "We will observe the full moon in real-time through a camera connected to the telescope at the observatory, and performers dressed as Halloween characters will explain the meaning and origin of the Blue Moon and Halloween."
Additionally, expert interview videos about the current status and plans for lunar exploration in South Korea, as well as lunar exploration activities around the world, will be broadcast.
According to the Gwacheon Science Museum, a full moon usually appears three times in one season, but occasionally it appears four times, and the third full moon in such cases is called a Blue Moon.
The Blue Moon phenomenon occurs due to the difference between the moon’s orbital period and the phase change cycle, happening on average once every 2 years and 8 months.
Among these, the 'Halloween Blue Moon,' which coincides with Halloween Day, appears every 19 years. The next Halloween Blue Moon will occur on October 31, 2039. In other words, if you miss tonight’s Halloween Blue Moon, you will have to wait until 2039 for the next one.
Meanwhile, the etymology of 'Blue Moon' comes from 'belewe,' which means 'to betray.' Since a full moon should appear once a month, an extra full moon was called 'belewe moon' (betrayers), which later changed to 'blue moon.'
Although it is now called 'blue' meaning the color blue, it does not actually appear blue. This is interpreted by scholars as stemming from Western negative perceptions of the full moon, linking the ominous full moon with the gloomy color blue in English-speaking cultures.
The Gwacheon Science Museum will provide an interpretation of the Halloween Blue Moon through a one-hour live broadcast on YouTube starting at 8 p.m. that day.
Jo Jae-il, a specialist at the Gwacheon Science Museum, said, "Since many people recently enjoy Halloween Day, it would be good to watch this at home with family during the COVID-19 pandemic era, reflecting on the meaning of the Blue Moon and Halloween Day."
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