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March 19th was the day of the “super moon” phenomenon. The moon reached is closest point to earth in nearly two decades:

A “super moon” refers to a new or full moon that occurs when the Moon is 90% or over its closest position to Earth. It is the first time since January 19, 1992, that the Moon has come into such close proximity to the Earth.

Robert Massey, deputy executive secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: “The Moon will be unusually close and a little brighter but the visual effects of it being closer to the Earth is unlikely to be noticed by the human eye.”

Mr Massey added that it would be difficult for those who are not regular star gazers to see a difference in the Moon’s size, with it being just 0.3% bigger than this time last month.

The Moon was 220,625 miles away from London at 18.10 on Saturday, 625 miles closer than it was a month before on February 18. When the Moon is at its furthest distance from the Earth, referred to as an apogee, it can be as far away from Earth as 250,000 miles.

I noticed the moon was shining especially brightly before I had my evening meal but due to buildings being in the way a photo was not possible. I looked forward to a perfect opportunity after my meal, but unfortunately a faint mist had descended…

Shrouded by Mist

4 Comments CherryPie on Mar 21st 2011

4 Responses to “100 Photos 68 :: The Night Sky”

  1. Ginnie says:

    I must have been on another planet altogether, Cherie, because I never even knew about it till after it happened. I don’t know why I didn’t see it at all the last several days. Maybe I’ll see it tonight…even though waning?

  2. I missed it…

    By the way, have you been following Prof Brian Cox’s “Wonders of Universe” on BBC?
    It’s really interesting!