biggest full moon + strange clouds

[nytecam]

Tomorrow night's full moon is the BIGGEST for the year eg 14% bigger and 30% brighter than normal according to today's www.spaceweather.com Get out there howling and test the 'rising moon illusion' where at dusk low in the NE this time the moon will seem 'bigger than ever' against distant landmarks

BTW- did anyone notice the pink dusk sky Tuesday evening? Apparently rare Polar Stratospheric Cloud are currently about at dusk/dawn so keep a lookout for them says Spaceweather - my pics from Tuesday night, whilst doing the moon vid here, below

[The Woodman]

The pink sky was noticed up here in Cumbria last night and it was very similar this morning as the sun rose. I was tempted to get the camera out but porridge and tea persuaded me otherewise.

[pammosley]

Hi Nytecam, I did notice the sky Tues night it was lovely. I always wondered what made the moon appear alot bigger sometimes.

[captain nodge]

That would account for the large tides too

[nytecam]

Originally Posted by pammosley

Hi Nytecam, I did notice the sky Tues night it was lovely. I always wondered what made the moon appear alot bigger sometimes.

The moon doesn't orbit earth in a perfect circle but an ellipse so sometime during the month is nearer to earth [called perigee] and about a fortnight later further way [called apogee] - its perigee passage this month coincides with full moon

The moon's half-degree size is reasonably constant but there is a second effect eg the rising/setting moon close to the horizon when the moon appears larger against distant trees /buildings which appear small by comparison. It is repuded [but I'm not testing it] that if you view the moon between your legs whilst standing the moon appear 'normal' whilst you obviously don't - but post your pics here

[Tringa]

As always many thanks Nytecam for the info. I did notice the moon as I got off the train on the way home, but it was still quite light then. Unfortunately it soon clouded over.

But the sky on Tuesday was brilliant.

[snowdrop]

Smashing pics of the pink sky, nytecam.

I did see the moon at 5am this morning and was surprised to see it appear so large for a January sky.

I also noticed the 'face' lying on its side, (does the face rotate with its cycle I wonder, ??).

[loripo]

Tomorrow Mars will also be visible weather permitting. Press Assoc say:
The Red Planet, now 62 million miles from Earth, will be at its brightest this year as it lines up opposite the Sun.

At around 9pm, Mars will be above and to the left of the Moon, about the length of an outstretched fist away.

A standard SLR camera fitted with a telephoto lens is all you need to capture the scene, says Robin Scagell, from the Society for Popular Astronomy.
So phots please

[Back]

Yes indeed. There is more on this subject here:
Mars and Moon in heavenly show - Yahoo! News UK
Eyes to the skies everyone.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by loripo

So phots please

Your wish is my command...



Although it doesn't look it the sky was still quite blue when I took this about 20 mins ago. I'll try again in an hour and see if I can capture Mars too.

Dave P.