Saturday, January 10, 2009

Is it just me or does the moon seem bigger?

If the rain moves out around here in time, or if it is clear where you are, step outside just about dark tonight and take a look. You’ll see the biggest and brightest moon in a long time. The biggest of the year.

Why?

We all learned in school that the moon circled the earth every month. Actually every 29.5 days if you are being picky. But the orbit is not perfectly round. Sometimes it moves in to become much closer. Right now it is about 31,000 miles (50,000 km) closer than at its farthest. Closer objects look bigger and the moon reaches its perigee tonight.

How much bigger?

Tonight the lunar orbit makes it seem 14 percent bigger in our sky and 30 percent brighter. That’s noticeable.

Do you live near the Ocean or Sea? If so you’ll notice the tides are higher too. Remember tides are caused by the pull of the moon. So if you are asleep on the beach tonight you may awaken all wet from the perigean tides.

Check it out.


2 comments:

CrimeSceneFairy said...

:D The moon is such a fun thing! I still dont know how the moon pulls the water but oh well...it's just one of those...things...like why tacos taste so good

Jane said...

i have noticed the moon the past couple of nights. when our kitchen lights are off and i walk in to get something to drink or munch on, the white deck has been a beautiful color of blue. being a night owl, i have been blessed with this beauty many times this week.
Husband reports that in our little town, 6 babies were born on Thursday and 3 on Friday night....the moon keeps things hoping in the maternity wards, just like the ocean.
our Lord/Creator/Savior is so amazing the way He designed things.