Rare Second Full Moon Of July Happens Tonight

DENVER (CBS4) - It's something that doesn't happen too often. In fact, according to earthsky.org the next time we will see two full moons in the same month will be in January 2018. But it won't happen again during July until the year 2034.

At 4:45 a.m. on July 31 in Denver the moon will be full for the second time in July 2015.

Skies around Colorado should allow for clear views of the moon tonight so if you snap some great pictures please be sure to share them with CBS4 via Twitter, Facebook or YouReport.

The second full moon in the same month is often called a Blue Moon.

"The reason that people think a Blue Moon is the second full moon of the month is because of a magazine article from the 1940s that mistakenly described it that way," said Jeff Tropeano with the Denver Astronomical Society.

In 2004 Sky & Telescope explained the Blue Moon blooper.

"The real definition of a Blue Moon is actually quite different. When a season has four full moons in it, the third one is called a Blue Moon," said Tropeano.

A season is defined as the three month period between a solstice and an equinox.

Tropeano says according to the real definition of a Blue Moon the next one will occur on May 21, 2016.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.