December 29, 2009

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Once in a blue moon there actually is a blue moon on New Year's Eve.

There'll be a so-called blue moon around for the New Year's countdown on Thursday.

According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue -- the name has nothing to do with its color.

This month's first full moon occurred on Dec. 2. On New Year's Eve, a full moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa.

For purists, however, a blue moon is an extra full moon in a typical three-moon season. So this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't count.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)