Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 12, 1990 TAG: 9006120154
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE: Q: WHAT IS A BLUE MOON? LENGTH: Medium
A: There are at least two definitions of a blue moon.
The first refers to a moon that really appears blue. It occurs when there are dust particles in the air of a critical size that scatter more light at the red end of the spectrum than at the blue end, according to the Reader's Digest Book of Facts.
When this happens, the red light vanishes against the blackness of the night sky. The unscattered light shining through makes the moon itself look blue. One of the most recent examples was on Sept. 26, 1950, when dust from extensive forest fires in Canada entered the earth's atmosphere. The moon also appeared blue after a huge volcanic explosion on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in 1883.
The second folklore definition has nothing to do with color. When a calendar month contains two full moons, the second one is referred to as a blue moon.
The next blue moon, by this definition, will be Dec. 31 - just six months away.
So when you say, "Once in a blue moon," it might happen more often than you think.
Minivan defects probed
Possible rear-seat defects in some Chrysler minivans are being investigated as the result of the death of a 2-year-old boy in a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration probe was prompted in part by a coroner's complaint that the seats are unsafe.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the consumers who buy this vehicle are unaware of the potential death trap that exists . . . when they place themselves, or their children, in the seat," Farrell Jackson, coroner of Washington County, Pa., said in a letter to consumer activist Ralph Nader.
Chrysler spokesman Tom Jakobowski said the company was cooperating with the investigation.
"We have 2 million-plus minivans out there and we know of no specific problems with the rear seats," Jakobowski said. The vans comply with federal standards for rear seat strength, he said.
The government probe will focus on Dodge Caravans and Plymouth Voyagers manufactured in the 1986-89 model years.
If evidence of a widespread problem is found, the investigation will be upgraded and government engineers will study the possibly defective parts. Eventually, a recall for repairs could be ordered.
by CNB