GE - Solstice Moons

[Mills, Scott]

For those interested in such things...

This year will be the first full moon to occur on the winter solstice,
Dec. 22, commonly called the first day of winter, in over 100 years.
Since a full moon on the winter solstice occurred 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
its 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. In lay 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.  Remember this will happen December 22,
1999...  According to data from the Astronomical Applications Dept.,
U. S. Naval Observatory (calculating for Long Island):  On Dec. 22,
1999, the moon will rise at 16:47 (4:47 p.m.).  The sun will be setting
at 1628 (4:28 p.m.).  Therefore, if you are leaving work around 5 p.m.
on that day you should be able to see a spectacular moonrise due east.
Since the actual moment of the winter solstice is December 22 at
2:24 a.m, the moonrise (3:50 p.m.) on Dec. 21st should also be quite
impressive.

Regards,

Eadric


-----------
Scott Mills
Engineering Problem Management
Industry Standard Server Division
281-514-1432 
Scott.Mills at compaq.com
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