. . . I've been told that I write novels for email messages. Perhaps this is the way to go. I'll try to make each entry, or Gemstone, a "precious" one. On mediocre days, all I might be able to produce is a "semi-precious" entry. In any case, an entry might be a "neat" Gemstone--something that is uniquely mine.

Friday, January 29, 2010

The Wolf Moon


If you haven't figured it out yet, I have a thing for full moons. There's something spectacular that draws me outside on (in tonight's case) a freezing winter's night to go moon-gazing. I first went out to watch the moon rise over the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range behind Santa Fe and then again a couple of hours later, viewing it as it peeked over my rooftop.

So what is so spectacular about tonight's full moon? I Googled it and found out all kinds of information (Yahoo Article Here). First of all, it is the first full moon of 2010 and as such is nicknamed "The Wolf Moon." (For a list of each month's nickname see SPACE.com's site.) Anyway, according to Native American legend, it is called the Wolf Moon because wolves like to howl at the full moon on cold winter nights.

Second of all, the moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter tonight than on any other night and it is remarkable that it coincided with the full moon. The reason is because the moon has an elliptical and lopsided orbit and is at it's closest point to the earth tonight. This only happens once or twice a year. So if you live near the coast, expect higher tides tonight than normal.

If you look really close at my photo, you'll see a tiny white speck to the left of the full moon. This is Mars. You can't tell in the picture, but if you look at it with a telescope you might be able to tell that it has a reddish tinge to it.

I hope the skies are clear where you live and you get to get out tonight to see the full Wolf Moon!

~~~~~~~~~
Neat

"Let all that you do be done in love"

1 Cor 16:14

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Neat

Neat Rox said...

Yes, it was neat! Did you get to see it or was it too foggy in your section of the world. I bet the beaches will have a lot of debris left over from the higher tides.

Anonymous said...

We did not get to see it, but I noticed that it was extremely bright thru the skylight in the bedroom. Felt like I needed a sleep mask. Did you climb on the roof with Lucy to see it? :-)

Love ya, Mom

Neat Rox said...

Nope, didn't get up on the roof that time--too much snow still up there. Plus, I never did teach Lucy how to climb a ladder. If I only had, just think of the possibilities!

Anonymous said...

Maybe you should teach her. I think if you could, it was meant to be. I am looking at the word verication word below, and it say housedg. Is this an omen of what is to come?
Mom