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!

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Neat

"Let all that you do be done in love"
1 Cor 16:14