It has been a long week full of events. Look at the number of posts! Time to take it down a notch, just for a few hours. Let’s turn towards one of nature’s events rather than political events.
If you think things look brighter this weekend, it won’t be your imagination. Saturday, January 10, will be another perigee full moon. The perigee moon is 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser moons.
What is making this happen? The moon is actually closer to the earth because its orbit is an ellipse. We are now coming up on the ‘short side.’
According to NASA:
Johannes Kepler explained the phenomenon 400 years ago. The Moon’s orbit around Earth is not a circle; it is an ellipse, with one side 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other. Astronomers call the point of closest approach “perigee,” and that is where the Moon will be this weekend.
Perigee full Moons come along once or twice a year. 2008 ended with one and now 2009 is beginning with another. It’s the best kind of déjà vu for people who love the magic of a moonlit landscape.
January is a snowy month in the northern hemisphere, and the combination of snow + perigee moonlight is simply amazing. When the Moon soars overhead at midnight, the white terrain springs to life with a reflected glow that banishes night, yet is not the same as day. You can read a newspaper, ride a bike, write a letter, and at the same time count the stars overhead. It is an otherworldly experience that really must be sampled first hand.
Above: The perigee full of Dec. 2008. “A cold wind was blowing as the Moon set over a neighbor’s farm,” says photographer Eric Ingmundson of Sparta, Wisconsin. “Next time (Jan. 10th) I plan to use a tripod.”
Another magic moment happens when the perigee Moon is near the horizon. That is when illusion mixes with reality to produce a truly stunning view. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. This weekend, why not let the “Moon illusion” amplify a full Moon that’s extra-big to begin with? The swollen orb rising in the east at sunset may seem so nearby, you catch yourself reaching out to touch it.
Click ‘story’ to hear the audio.
Interesting, M-H, thank you. I had actually told my wife the horizon illusion was the only explanation for last month’s moon. Now I know.
We saw the moon yesterday morning when we were driving to the VRE. Mrs. Guapo said, “Whoa! Look at the size of that moon!”
Thanks for posting this – as an amateur astronomer it is an interesting phenomenon. It was very good looking at it through my telescope last night until the clouds rolled in. Unfortunately tonight will not be good for seeing the moon, but tomorrow night should be and it still will be close to being full – rising shortly after sunset.
I guess there will be some serious “moon-howling” tonight.
Thank you so much for this beautiful description, Moon-howler. I’ll be visiting those northern woods in my imagination, calling the quarters, and dancing around the fire under the full moon tonight.
Thanks for the diversion. It was perfect. Will be out tonight.
I hope the weather permits! If not, we can check it out tomorrow. Ivan, I sure will be howling….! You got that right. Serious Howling! I just wish I had some snow to make things more howl–able.
I wish the weather will permit tonight. Unfortunately, the outlook isn’t good. Tomorrow night should be good however and it will be an “almost” full moon and will be just as close to the earth. You will hardly be able to notice the difference actually, other than it rising an hour later roughly. The moon rises tomorrow night at 5:59 PM and will still be at 99% phase.
You can see this info for yourself at http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/javascript/3305541.html# – follow the instructions to enter in your location. It gives a lot more info than just the moon – basically the sun and the rest of the planets too.
M-H, did you write that? Wow. What parts were a quote? That’s really evocative writing.
Gainesville Resident, you seem to know a lot about astronomy. During the winter holidays, I noticed a large bright object near the moon. I was in Florida, and it appeared closer to the moon than it did here. I assumed it was a planet. Do you know which planet or what it was?
Everything after according to NASA. Sorry. I had to go hammer the block quotes around the part under the picture. Didn’t take the soft wordpress way even though I had quoted. Those were not my words, not even on my best days with the muse. Thanks for catching that NGL. Plagiarism R NOt Us.
There is more if you click on story. you will have to cut it off yourself though. It is a looped audio.
Firedancer – You are right – that was Venus. 2 weeks ago when the moon was just past new and near the horizon at sunset, Venus was very close to it. Right now Venus can easily be seen toward the SE after sunset as a very bright star in the sky. It is still about the same place as you would have seen it 2 weeks ago – it does not move much from one week to the next since we are so far from it. It actually goes through phases (although at a much smaller rate) as seen from the earth although that can only be observed through a small telescope. Right now it is around 50% – that link I sent above will show the exact phase at any given time.
In addition, Venus is known as both the morning and evening star – as depending on the time of the year it is visible in the morning before sunrise or in the evening before sunset, and is a very bright star. In fact, it is so bright it will cast a shadow on its own if the moon is not up. Also, if you know where to look it can even be seen during the daytime with the naked eye. Unfortunately, other than its phases, it is not that interesting to view through a telescope as it is always shrouded in clouds so the surface cannot be seen.
Meant to say in the evening AFTER sunset. I am an amateur astronomy and have done it for a long time (a good part of my life), so can answer a lot of questions anyone may have about astronomy. I have a 130 mm computer driven Celestron telescope – which can give up to 250x magnification – strong enough to see things like the rings of Saturn and even some moons around Jupiter, as well as deep sky objects such as nebula – when the conditions are right – from my backyard in Gainesville. It is not the most optimum viewing site due to sky pollution – however better than places closer into DC. For better viewing go further out to Faquier County or even further. The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club has a monthly telescope observing session at a park in Faquier County and anyone can come. The schedule and directions can be seen at http://www.novac.com/crockett/ – the next one is 2 weeks from tonight – January 24. People there have much more powerful (and more expensive) scopes than what I have. My newest scope only cost me $380 although hard to find at that price – most places sell it for $430 and it is a good low priced scope for someone interested in astronomy. Once aligned with 3 bright objects in the sky and told the date, time, and the location it is at – it will know where it is pointed at and can find any bright object in the sky by keying in the name – or show a list of objects currently viewable, etc.
Thanks, GR! I felt like I was in a planetarium! I knew it had to be a planet. I went to Sky Meadows a few times many years ago when they set up the telescopes, but not lately. I think we were viewing Halley’s comet. I like knowing when interesting celestial happenings are occurring, not that I can see anything in my tree and light-filled neighborhood.
I’m convinced that we humans today are too far removed from the wonders of nature, at least in our American culture. A few years ago in the Canadian Rockies I sat and watched an amazing sundown to my right, followed by an amazing full moonrise over the mountains to my left. The blazing lights behind the mountains preceded the actual appearance of the moon. I was so inspired that I wrote a poem about it.
Firedancer – yes it is sad with all the light pollution in all the major metropolitan areas – you cannot see many of the stars in the sky viewable with the naked eye and the Milky Way is impossible to see. I remember it being a lot different when I was younger, even though I grew up near a fairly big city – there wasn’t anywhere near as much light pollution as today.
The moon does travel the elliptic, same as the planets do. So usually when the moon is just past being a new moon – it sets shortly after sunset and quite often there will be a planet visible not far from it. During the times where Venus is an evening star, it will indeed be very close to the almost new moon not long after sunset.
A good way to find out what interesting things are in the sky each week is “This Week’s Sky at a Glance” by Sky and Telescope Magazine at http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance . It will tell you of any interesting celestial events in the coming week.
Gainesville Resident,
Impressive stuff. I love going to WVA there’s NO light pollution there. It’s amazing how much brighter and bigger the stars seem in the rural setting. I know there’s some big telescopes out Bull Run Mountain.
I drove the Sudley a short while ago. Even with all the cloud cover the bright moon lit up the usual dark streets of Sudley. It’s too bad for the good people of Sudley that have to depend on moon beams to light up there community.
Gainesville, thanks for the sky and telescope link. That is a neat little java gizmo.
It sure doesn’t look like tonight will be the night for star or moon gazing.
Ravens live to fight another moon, hopefully a Pacific moon, with a 13-10 upset over Tennessee.
Gainesville, now we know we have a valuable resource, you are a marked man. Those of us who enjoy the skies will have all sorts of questions.
It it truly nasty out there tonight. Can’t see anything.
Does Sky Meadow State Park still have its monthly astronomy night? It is really sad if you want to see a celestial event like even meteor shows. You used to be able to go to the Battlefield, park at the picnic grounds, and enjoy the night sights and talk to other people with similar interests. That area is gone. Then we took over the horse trailer park. That is now closed at night also. There just is no place to go sky watching.
Maybe that is something we can lobby the BOCS for. It would not cost any money. Just set aside a place where we would be allowed to go.
MH – I don’t know about Sky Meadow State Park – I have to admit I’ve never been to that one. Maybe we need to do a google search on it.
You are right though – it is very hard to find a place to go these days for sky watching. The Battlefield used to be a great place to go.
It does sound like a good idea to lobby BOCS for a place somewhere in the cuonty.
Last night was as you say disappointing in that the weather was not good for stargazing (or moon gazing). Tonight looks good however, unless things change. This past week was not a good week actually – too many cloudy nights. The coming week looks better, fortunately.
I always enjoy talking about astronomy so everyone can feel free to ask any questions they like. I don’t know as much as other people I know – but I have a fairly good knowledge of all the basic stuff. I’m still learning too, actually. There are a lot of good resources on the internet though – the links I sent above are some of them. I THINK on the page of of the links I sent you, or if not elsewhere on the Sky & Telescope site – you can bring up a star chart for your location for any given night and time.
I’m glad you posted this thread, MH.
Here’s the link to the star chart that you can bring up for your location and any time and date: http://skychart.skytonight.com/observing/skychart/skychart.asp
Thank you for that link, Gainesville. You know, sometimes it is good not to be too knowledgeabel Most of us who are interested in the night sky don’t have a read in-depth basis of knowdge. So when we ask questions of people we sometimes end up with more of an answer than we bargained for.
I have a very dear friend in England named Roger. Sometimes he gives me too much information. On the other hand, he has sent me some beautiful pictures of galaxies etc. I am more of a ‘the moon looks bigger tonight because of the shape of its orbit’ than I am a very detailed reason kind of person.
I also never really persued my early interests because I just don’t live where it is condusive to watch. Gainesville, I bet you have a better view at your new place even as built up as it has gotten than you did at the old place. I have found that as trees have matured it they also cut down on viewing as well as having light pollution.
Does anyone know of an area to look at the night sky around the Manassas or Gainvesville area that is somewhat away from light and isn’t trespassing?
Gainesville, I didn’t know that about the planets being visible with the new moon shortly after sunset, but I HAVE noticed them at that time, and wondered if they were planets and which ones. Of course I could look it up, but I’m too lazy.
Sky Meadows is one of my favorite parks. It’s located out I-66, exit Route 17 Delaplane, about 10 miles from the exit. It’s the site of a pre-Civil War home, sits high on a hill, with hiking trails and access to the Appalachian Trail. It’s also rarely crowded, and a great place for a summer picnic and nap. I don’t know if they still do the sky viewing, though.
Sky Meadows is a great place for viewing the heavens because it’s wide open, high up, and no lights….unless development has encroached even there. I haven’t been there in at least a year.
Firedancer – OK on Sky Meadows – that sounds good and not too far away.
MH – you are right – it is a lot better out here in Gainesville at this point in time. Back in Manassas living between Sudley Road and Centreville Road there was way too much light pollution.
It is also closer to darker places nearby probably, that I could take my telescope to, but I haven’t investigated any of that yet. If I find a good place out this way, I’ll let you know.
Dumbo DPortM Duecaster said –
Gainesville Resident,
I’d mentioned the WVA sky being free of light pollution. I did a little searching and discovered at novac.com. Sky Meadows and other nearby observatories can found here.
From the website
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“From April to October, many avid observers like to take weekend trips to Spruce Knob mountain in West Virginia, which is the darkest site on the east coast. The limiting magnitude at spruce is 6.7! Novac has reserved the entire campground for astronomical use only. Visit the Spruce Knob section for more information.
NOVAC also maintains a relationship with The Mountain Institute at Spruce Knob. The Mountain Institute provides an outstanding observing location as well as civilized amenities like hot showers, meal service, and Internet access.
Because we use these sites with the permission of the landowner or the state/county authorities, there are some rules and restrictions governing their use. Please read through and understand the rules before visiting any of the sites. Refer to the official membership guide in the members section for further details.”
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According to the website, the exact place I visit is the darkest spot on the east coast.
Spruce Knob Mountain is the highest point in WVA the sky is so beautiful to the naked eye. I only imagine what it would be like for stargazers.
You really should consider a visit to the area it only takes about 2 and half hours from the Gainesville Distict. You can find clean cheap accommodations, home cooked food at the local places, there’s a ton of rock climbing at Senecca Rocks, and the couple of large caverns to visit in the area. Smokehole is nearby and I think are the largest in the state.
Thanks Chris. Is going the Spruce Mt roughing it?
Sky Meadows is a neat place to go in the fall. I have never been for an astronomy night. Is it open on those nights when the meteor showers come? Firedancer, what have you done while there?
I have only been in daytime and I did some photography. Fall outing type thing.
Does Bull Run Conservacy have any spots set aside for stargazing?
Chris, I love that part of West Virginia too!! It’s amazing that it’s so close, yet such a different world. We stay in a cabin near the Smokehole Canyon, and enjoy visiting the nearby Dolly Sods Wilderness and Spruce Knob. The best thing is (for tourists anyway) that there are almost never any crowds. We feel that we have all of WVA to ourselves.
Everyone has to drive through Smokehole Canyon at least once in their lives (between Route 220 and Route 55).
Another incredible (and empty) place is Beartown State Park, farther south on Route 219. We discovered it by accident, and just loved it. It’s a walkway through the most interesting, unusual rock formations. Mother Earth holds so many mysteries.
Here’s a youtube video about Beartown, which doesn’t really do it justice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIhLHnedY-g
and the state park website:
http://www.beartownstatepark.com/
You don’t need to travel far to enjoy a wonderful vacation in nature. I’m a cheerleader for West Virginia tourism, but keep it a secret….don’t want the crowds to descend.
Moon-howler, going to Spruce Knob is definitely not roughing it, but I guess it depends on one’s definition of “roughing it”. There’s a paved road all the way, twisty and turny as it is. That’s the wonderful thing about WVA…it’s so accessible.
I have been to Sky Meadows for the meteor showers. The park closes at sundown, and is only open at night for special events such as celestial viewing. The telescopes are set up behind the house; you don’t really do anything but take turns looking. We usually go to hang out on a nice day, bring a picnic lunch, sit and gaze at the surrounding countryside, and hike around the park. It’s interesting because in the woods are the remains of the plantation that used to be there. You sometimes have to avoid the cattle grazing along the meadow trails.
Firedancer,
WOW!!! I know that whole area like home. I visited that area every weekend growing up. My family is from Onego. It’s just a couple of miles west of Senecca Rocks on Rt. 33. It truly is like stepping into another era. It’s a refreshing change from No.VA, and like you said it’s not that far away.
We’ve stayed at just about all the cabins between Petersburg & Seneca Rocks.The Appalachian Cabins are our favortie. I also love going to Black Water Falls. I can remember when you could go on the rocks there. Now there’s a platform for safety/liabilty reasons.
I hope to visit the area myself in the next month. It truly is “almost heaven”.
Moon-howler,
You can rough it if you want, but you sure don’t have to. You can even stay in teepee if you want. I have some amazing pictures from the area. That would simply amaze you. I might have to start another webshots.
I love it when the Giants lose and the The City piles on Eli Manning! Yes!!!!
Chris & Firedancer – thanks for all the good info there on West Virginia. That definitely sounds like something worth doing some time. Actually, I’ve only been to West Virginia once in all the time I’ve lived down here, and that was quite a long time ago. As you say, those places for really dark skies aren’t all that far away. Will definitely plan on checking it out sometime.
HEY WHWN, my husband is a Giants fan, and he is NOT HAPPY right now. So please be quiet.
Chris, lucky you for growing up there! Where are the Appalachian cabins? I purposely didn’t write the name of our favorite cabins…trying to keep them a secret…so selfish of me. They’re near Dolly Sods…right off 55, but down in a gorge, so they’re very quiet.
GainesvilleResident,
You are most welcome. Like Firedancer, I too am “cheerlaeader” for WVA toursim. This area is mostly owned by the feds. However, it’s all very accessible and nicely maintained given the remoteness of it. You really should check it out. I weekend won’t cost much, and the experience, well “priceless”.
WHWN,
I always love to see the Giants lose too! Or any NY team for that matter. 😉
Firedancer,
I did grow up here in good ole PWC. However, I still feel like that is home too. It’s not changed much in much lifetime. You know how much I love PWC, and the feeling is the same for that part of WVA. Great youtubes.
Yikes, I missed your post about hubby being a Giants fan. It’s no picnic at my house when the Skins lose. We are both fans.
I’m sure I’ve stayed at your favorites too. Appalachian cabins are about three miles from Seneca Rocks. I’d say about 8 miles from Smokehole Caverns. Yes, we must keep it a “secret”. I stayed at one cabin, and they had journals in each cabin for the guests to write in. It made for great reading, especially the children’s entries. I wish they all did this.
My idea of roughing it is the Holiday Inn. Creature comforts are good. There is nothing like a roaring campfire, and crawling into a real bed once the fire goes out.
So how DARE it cloud over at moonrise time! I am so disappointed. It was clear today. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
bvbl reporter2, too bad that the lord of misinformation and his left hand woman, the duchess of disaster, did not mention that McAuliffe also said he wanted to gte rid of the Dillon Rule. That would probably do more for Prince William than anything else. Funny how both failed to report that newsworthy item.
Since McAuliffe is a Democrat, I guess it is not surprising that the dillon rule part got left out.
Darn, I can only see a hazy bright light behind the clouds.
BVReporter, I only skim the other site, but they were talking about the Dillon Rule…twisting its demise in a negative way. I can’t think of any local elected officials who support the Dillon Rule, but I doubt GL and I talk to the same ones.
Moon, the cabins are much cozier than a Holiday Inn! Roughing it “ain’t what it used to be!”
…as in the cabins come with hot tubs, for example. Imagine soaking in your hot tub and gazing at that full moon!
Firedancer,
Full moon with the light reflecting from the snow while in the hot tub. Amazing!
MH,
I think you are WOman enough to handle it. I’ve stayed in cabins with full size washer and dryer. It’s real handy after day of swimming, wading, skiiing, or snow tubing. We forgot to mention you are surrounded by all types of wild life.
I like the cabins with the hot tubs and the feather top mattresses and at least 600 count sheets. High maintainence roughing it, thank you very much. I haven’t been to WVA but I know of some nice ones in Luray.
I can see the moon now but it is somewhat hazy from the clouds.
Firedancer, I hate roughing it. So you recommend The Appalachian place? Tell me how to locate it por favor. And do they allow pets?
My what standards. Bring your own 600 thread count sheets. If you just can’t sleep with out them. Well, it looks like you have two “travel agents” that could help you with some of your more high maintainence requests. I bet you would like the remote control gas fireplaces better than the old fashioned wood burning fireplaces. 🙂
MH,
I suggested Appalachian. However, I meant to say a lot of these places allow for pets. I’ve never had my pet when I stayed there, but there are others if they don’t hear. Even though they don’t advertise pets, you could ask. I think they might be willing.
http://www.appalachian-cabins.com/
corr: I’ve never had my pet when I stayed there, but there are others if they don’t. (delete hear).
I’ve stayed at some with my pet.
Funny how the mind jumps! Chris, I wasn’t including snow in my hot tub description…not sure I’d actually do that in the snow. Well, I might, but I know my husband wouldn’t. He hates to be cold. I’ve only been there in the summer and Columbus Day weekend.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention the remote control gas fireplaces! Don’t use it in the summer, but loved it last fall.
Glad we found something in common, Chris! We never saw eye-to-eye on too many things back on the old site, with our alter egos.
Moon is finally showing through very very bright! Gorgeous! Almost worth the wait.