5 things to know about... Blue moons

You probably know by now, we're about to experience a blue moon.

Five things you should know, starting with, "What exactly is a blue moon?"

1 There are multiple definitions for a blue moon thanks to a misunderstanding dating back to 1946.

The more common definition: the second full moon in a month is a blue moon.

But astronomers also report the fourth full moon in a season is a blue moon.

"It's used a little loosely. If it's an out-of-season full moon they'll call it a blue moon," Clovis Astronomy Club Vice President Gary Zapotoczny said.

According to timeanddate.com, the seasonal definition actually preceded the monthly definition. But amateur astronomer James Hugh Pruett misunderstood it and published an article in Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 defining a blue moon as the second full moon of the month.

The mistake caught on after being quoted in the radio program StarDate in 1980 and appearing as an answer in the 1986 version of the board game Trivial Pursuit.

The phrase blue moon does not have anything to do with the physical color of the moon but ...

2 The moon really does look blue — sometimes.

Though the change in color is completely unrelated to the occurrence of a blue moon based on the two astronomical definitions, Zapotoczny said the moon will on occasion appear blue.

"I know that sounds contradictory but sometimes there are particles in the atmosphere that will give a full moon kind of a bluish tint, and it might be a little brighter than normal, but it will be more of a bluish tint than white. And that can happen anytime actually, when there's a full moon," Zapotoczny said.

According to timeanddate.com, the moon can appear blue due to this particle phenomenon, known as Mie scattering, following a dust storm, forest fire or volcanic eruption, like after the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.

3 "Once in a blue moon" is not as rare as the saying would lead you to believe.

"We've always heard the common phrase "once in a blue moon" signifying some sort of rare event, but it's really not that rare. It comes about roughly every two years or so," Zapotoczny said.

In fact there will be a second blue moon later this year on March 31, based on the monthly definition, according to timeanddate.com.

If you use the seasonal definition blue moons occur slightly less frequently, with the most recent occurring on May 21, 2016, according to moongiant.com.

4 This week's blue moon actually is quite rare though. On Wednesday three astronomical elements will combine as it will be the second full moon of the month, the moon will be a supermoon, and there will be a lunar eclipse.

Zapotoczny said a supermoon occurs when the moon is closer to the Earth in its orbit than normal, appearing larger and brighter than usual.

According to timeanddate.com a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon and covers the moon with its shadow, which can make the moon appear red, hence the nickname "Blood Moon."

The convergence of these three events on the same day has some people nicknaming Wednesday's moon "Super Blue Blood Moon."

According to a press release from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the next time these three elements will come together at the same time won't be until 2037.

5 You need to get up early if you don't want to miss Wednesday's "Super Blue Blood Moon."

Locally the total eclipse will begin at 5:52 a.m., reach its maximum at 6:30 a.m., and end at 7:07 a.m., according to the NMMNHS press release.

Zapotoczny said the best way to enjoy Wednesday's event is to get a good view of the western sky.

Zapotoczny said there is no need to use special glasses.

"The moon isn't going to cause permanent damage or anything," Zapotoczny said. "It may temporarily blind you because it's so bright but once it's getting behind the shadow of the earth, it will be more pleasing to look at, especially if you try to view it through a telescope or binoculars even."