Brightest Moon

[Roy]

This year will be the first full moon to occur on the winter solstice, tomorrow, Wednesday Dec. 22, commonly called the first day of winter.

Since a full moon on the winter solstice occurs in conjunction with a lunar perigee (point in the moon's orbit that is closest to Earth), the moon will appear about 14% larger than it does at apogee (the point in it's elliptical orbit that is farthest from the Earth).

Since the Earth is also several million miles closer to the sun at this time of the year than in the summer, sunlight striking the moon is about 7% stronger making it brighter.
Also, this will be the closest perigee of the Moon of the year since the moon's orbit is constantly deforming.

If the weather is clear and there is a snow cover where you live, it is believed that even car headlights will be superfluous.

On December 21, 1866 the Lakota Sioux took advantage of this combination of occurrences and staged a devastating retaliatory ambush on soldiers in the Wyoming Territory.

In laymen's terms it will be a super bright full moon, much more than the usual AND it hasn't happened this way for 133 years!

Our ancestors 133 years ago saw this. Our descendants 100 or so years from now will see this again. I hope someone else might find this interesting!

Remember this will happen tomorrow, Wednesday December 22, 1999.

[socalgal]

Thanks for the reminder, Roy. My eyes will be turned heavenward tomorrow night... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[OuTpaTienT]

My neighbor just got a new telescope too. One that's just perfect for viewing the moon. Woohoo! Time to go break it in.

[Todd Beck]

Ditto Roy, thanks for the reminder. Out come the camera and binoculars.

[psyklone]

well i hate to be a buzz-killer here, but check this out...
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/pr_991217brightmoon.html

and for those who don't wanna read it, here's how it starts:

"BRIGHTEST FULL MOON
IN 133 YEARS? NO!

Suddenly a lot of people are asking this question: Will the full Moon of December 22, 1999, be the brightest full Moon in 133 years? They're asking, apparently, because of an article from the Old Farmer's Almanac that is being widely circulated by e-mail..."

well, just thought i'd share that.


[This message has been edited by psyklone (edited 12-21-1999).]

[Chainsaw]

Just so no one misses the event, that's * http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif*"TONIGHT"* http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif* (12/21/99) at 11:44p.m. Pacific Standard Time
or
Tomorrow morning (12/22/99) at 2:44a.m Eastern Standard Time

Winter Solstice and Lunar Perigee - A rarity of lunar events on this date, the final full moon of the millennium!

EDIT~(OR NOT, depending on if you believe that the new millenium begins 1/1/2000 or 1/1/2001)LOL http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

December - Full Long Nights Moon or Full Cold Moon

This year the Winter Solstice, December 21/22 - the longest night of the year - will be extremely special. This is because the solstice will coincide with a Full Moon. Ah, but not just any Full Moon. The Moon will be within a few hours of its perigee, its closest point to the Earth. This will make the Moon appear to be about 14% bigger than usual. However, it is also only ten days from the Earth's perihelion, its closest point to the Sun. Since the Moon shines with reflected sunlight, then the moon will appear 7% brighter than usual.

These events occurring together are extremely rare. This is probably the biggest, brightest moon of the Millennium as well as its last. That makes it a rare night indeed so check with your local astronomy clubs to find out what special events are planned. Whatever you do, get out and look at the sky. You will never see a Moon like this again, even if the world does not end seven days later.

Events in Eastern Standard Time: Winter solstice is at 2:44a.m., 12/22 The moon is at perigee, 5:55a.m., 12/22 Full moon is at 12:31p.m., Dec. 22

Events in Pacific Standard Time Winter solstice is at 11:44p.m., 12/21 The moon is at perigee, at 2:55a.m., 12/22 Full moon is at 9:31a.m., Dec. 22

[This message has been edited by Chainsaw (edited 12-21-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Chainsaw (edited 12-22-1999).]

[Todd Beck]

Thanks for raining on my parade, psyklone. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif Back go the camera and binoculars.

[psyklone]

well, just for the record .... it will be a brighter moon ....

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by psyklone (edited 12-21-1999).]

[OuTpaTienT]

and a brighter moon is a smarter moon.

In fact, the moon's so bright, I gotta wear shades.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/icons/icon6.gif uTpaTienT

[Todd Beck]

"I wear my sunglasses at night..."

[socalgal]

"Just get yourself some cheap sunglasses.." http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Thanks for the tip Chainsaw! It should be happening in another ±couple of hours. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 12-21-1999).]

[Pantion]

Hey! Thanks for the tip! Think I'll get to some place where there is a clear sky and not too many lights to get a close look at it. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[AQR8]

It's look'n might cool here in CA! Can't wait until tonight, gonna line the whole fam out there to see it. Of course, we'll all be wear'n our sunglasses http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

AQR8

[This message has been edited by AQR8 (edited 12-22-1999).]

[Roy]

Caught it! Phenominal!

However, NOT the final full moon of the millenium. That won't happen before 12-31-00!