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Hence it was known as a ‘belewe<br />
moon’—belewe being an old English<br />
word meaning ‘betrayer’ (although the<br />
same word could also mean ‘blue’).<br />
Very occasionally the Moon really does<br />
look blue, when its light is scattered by<br />
fine ash or dust in the atmosphere. Examples<br />
of this have occurred following<br />
forest fires in Canada and Scandinavia.<br />
Even more remarkably, following the<br />
huge eruption of the Krakatoa volcano<br />
in 1883 the Moon was visibly blue for<br />
nearly two years.<br />
Ray Larsen<br />
www.<strong>villagevoices</strong>.<strong>org</strong>.<strong>uk</strong><br />
<strong>January</strong> 2010 page 2