The large looking Full Moon tonight (March 19)

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 19 Mar, 2011 8:36 pm

Due to the Moon's elliptical orbit the distance between it and Earth varies. Tonight is the biggest full Moon in 18 years but because of the well known Moon illusion effect it will also seem even larger than it is due to how we perceive a low Full Moon. Despite the clouds the Full Moon is visible just now and the illusion is working (at least for me) as the Full Moon does seem to be larger than usual. Worth a peek to see if you think so.

grumpybloke · Post by **grumpybloke** » Sun 20 Mar, 2011 2:40 pm

Well to be quite honest, I didn't think it looked much bigger. I thought it possibly was, but then I thought it might be the power of suggestion!

Lilysmum · Post by **Lilysmum** » Sun 20 Mar, 2011 4:06 pm

Same here!!

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Mon 21 Mar, 2011 9:24 pm

14% biger and brighter accordingto this mornings paper with photo at Glastonbury.I read briefly some where last week that this proximityincreases the gravitational pull on the planet and thatthis could be the cause of the recent flooding in Australiaand the weather in general.Any thoughts on this and any possible link to the 2recent severe earthquakes ?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 21 Mar, 2011 10:06 pm

In the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science News website before the event it stated:-"Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. It is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other (apogee). Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the Moon's orbit. The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee--a near-perfect coincidence that happens only 18 years or so. A perigee full Moon brings with it extra-high "perigean tides," but this is nothing to worry about, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches)--not exactly a great flood.The Moon looks extra-big when it is beaming through foreground objects--a.k.a. "the Moon illusion." Indeed, contrary to some reports circulating the Internet, perigee Moons do not trigger natural disasters. The "super moon" of March 1983, for instance, passed without incident. And an almost-super Moon in Dec. 2008 also proved harmless."I've asked a few people and those who saw the Full Moon on the night of March 19th all said they did not notice any difference. The Moon did need to be low down to experience the illusion effect, which I thought I noticed but perhaps that was wishful thinking on my part!

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Mon 21 Mar, 2011 11:16 pm

Not some that I know much about,so thanksfor that Leodian.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 21 Mar, 2011 11:30 pm

dogduke wrote: Not some that I know much about,so thanksfor that Leodian. Cheers dogduke.