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Ever heard of the expression "once in a blue moon?"

This expression indicates a rare event.

This month, the full moon will rise twice and the second occurrence is called a blue moon.

The state-run weather bureau PAGASA was quick to explain that the phrase has nothing to do with the actual color of the moon but rather as the second full moon in a calendar month.

Vicente Malano, PAGASA acting administrator, says: "Since the lunar cycle is 29 days and most months have 30 to 31 days, we eventually find a situation where a full moon occurs at the beginning and the ending of the same month."

He also explains that you may see a blue-colored moon under certain atmospheric conditions such as after volcanic eruptions or when there are exceptionally large fires that leave particles in the atmosphere.

Malano says that, apart from the blue moon, a meteor shower happening from July 28 to 31 awaits stargazers.

He says the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower will be best observed from July 28 to 31 and estimated to peak before midnight and onward on July 29 to 30.

"The stream normally produces about 5 to 10 meteors per hour with overall activity of about 15 meteors per hour under good sky conditions," he says.

He, however, says that the bright moon could cover the activity.