Biggest full moon in 15 years

[Jenn! 918]

If the full moon tonight looks unusually large, it is not your imagination – it is the biggest and brightest full moon to be seen for 15 years.

Each month the Moon makes a full orbit around the Earth in a slightly oval-shaped path, and tonight it will swing by the Earth at its closest distance, or perigee. It will pass by 356,613km (221,595 miles) away, which is about 28,000km closer than average.

The unusual feature of tonight is that the perigee also coincides with a full moon, which will make it appear 14 per cent bigger and some 30 per cent brighter than most full moons this year – so long as the clouds hold off from blocking the view.

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Tonight's full moon is also notable for rising to its greatest height in the night sky for the entire year, lying almost overhead at midnight. This is because we are approaching the winter solstice, on December 21, and thanks to the tilt of the Earth the Moon appears at its highest, as the Sun is at its lowest.

Another astronomical treat that could be seen tonight and for the next two nights is the annual Geminid meteor shower, one of the year's best displays of shooting stars. Up to 100 meteors an hour can fly across the sky. The meteors, which are easy to spot with the naked eye, appear to shoot out from the constellation Gemini, hence their name, but they can be seen all over the sky. However, with a full moon so bright, the best place to look is away from the Moon.

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Source

Edited December 12, 2008 by Jenn!

[HAL 9000 96]

If only the temperature would make it safe tonight.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I knew it wasn't full last night but even then it looked gorgeous...and especially low over the lake when I saw it first rising! I can't wait to see it tonight!!!!

Edited December 12, 2008 by Sister Fracas

[HAL 9000 96]

I knew it wasn't full last night but even then it looked gorgeous...and especially low over the lake when I saw it first rising! I can't wait to see it tonight!!!!

Should we compare pics if we make it to the lake tonight? Still debating if its worth an outing.

[NickD 202]

If only the temperature would make it safe tonight.

Commented on how beautiful the moon looked last night, about 5:00 PM at about 45*N latitude, 90* west. Large brown object with detail of it's craters and mountains, without the aid of a telescope. Was about 10* above the horizon facing WNW, about 280* on the compass point.

[Sister Fracas 5]

There is a gathering of people that meet every full moon up at Foster beach to...well, I guess behold the moon. I might skip over tonight to see if they are there.

Or I could just look out the window and look at it... LOL I'll try to take piccies...

[HAL 9000 96]

There is a gathering of people that meet every full moon up at Foster beach to...well, I guess behold the moon. I might skip over tonight to see if they are there.

Or I could just look out the window and look at it... LOL I'll try to take piccies...

Yeah cause its too freakin cold. If the lighthouse at The Point were open at night...

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Cool! I hope it isn't cloudy.

[NickD 202]

Suppose with the moon being so close, it's counteractive gravitation forces will be more pronounce, hey my diet is working, I lost 0.00000001 grams!

Agree with Hal9000, dang cold outside, but maybe will try out my 3200 ISO Fugi camera, unfortunately, my west windows are blocked by trees.

[Sister Fracas 5]

There is a gathering of people that meet every full moon up at Foster beach to...well, I guess behold the moon. I might skip over tonight to see if they are there.

Or I could just look out the window and look at it... LOL I'll try to take piccies...

Yeah cause its too freakin cold. If the lighthouse at The Point were open at night...

Oi, put some mittens on ya big cry-baby...

[HAL 9000 96]

Suppose with the moon being so close, it's counteractive gravitation forces will be more pronounce, hey my diet is working, I lost 0.00000001 grams!

Agree with Hal9000, dang cold outside, but maybe will try out my 3200 ISO Fugi camera, unfortunately, my west windows are blocked by trees.

HAL 9000 recommends you allow your lens to acclimate slowly to the cold and even slower to the return to indoor temperatures IF you use your camera tonight. The last thing you want is to ruin your optics with water condensation.

There is a gathering of people that meet every full moon up at Foster beach to...well, I guess behold the moon. I might skip over tonight to see if they are there.

Or I could just look out the window and look at it... LOL I'll try to take piccies...

Yeah cause its too freakin cold. If the lighthouse at The Point were open at night...

Oi, put some mittens on ya big cry-baby...

HAL 9000 would rather watch it from a sailboat in warmer latitudes.

[MissStacey 1]

We saw the moon beautifully last night from the kitchen window while we were eating dinner. Looking forward to tonight.

[Dakine 26]

Good chance of an increase in earthquakes somewhere in the next couple days due to increased gravitional pull. Some of the biggest tides of the year.

[Amby 490]

Oh very cool! Thanks for the heads up Jenn! I'll be checking it out tonight

[Nagishkaw 510]

I wonder how it will effect the Bay of Fundi ?