From: Natasha Vita-More (natasha@natasha.cc)
Date: Sun Dec 19 1999 - 17:24:06 MST
>From John Spencer of Space Tourism Society:
This year (first time in 133 years) will be the first full moon to occur on
the winter solstice, Dec. 22, commonly called the first day of winter.
Because a full moon on the winter solstice will occur 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). Earth is several million
miles closer to the sun at this time of year than in the summer, so
sunlight striking the moon is about 7% stronger, making the moon brighter.
This will be the moon's closest perigee this year. If the weather is clear
and there is a snow cover where you live, it is believed that moonlight
will make even car headlights superfluous.
Natasha
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