This evening we will experience what is known as a "Wolf Moon". The first full moon of the year.
A name given by Native Americans acknowledging the wolves that howl at the moon.
The moon will also be appearing bigger and brighter to us and here's why,
The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles closer than the other.
So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year. This is what will happen tonight.
Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year. You can read all about this at Spaceweather.com.
Also, if you look to the left of the moon tonight, that star like, reddish brown object is Mars.
Something cool to do with the kids.
This is a wonderful piece! And thanks for sharing about the Wolf Moon. I did not know that!
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this! That is such cool information!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your paintings--do you sell them anywhere?
ReplyDeleteFound you via OWOH and have been browsing...
ReplyDeleteI've been noticing all week that it was extra bright and beautiful--especially here om Alaska with the good clear air. :)