Twilight setting of a supermoon

Svartskog, Norway

Not long ago astronomical events were only described in scientific websites, special interests groups and organizations like NASA. Now these events are gathering more and more headlines and space in popular news, and I am so happy for that, as we are part of an amazing universe no matter who decides what is worthy of headline news.

Last night the Moon was full, but not like any ordinary full Moon. It appeared about 8% wider and 16% brighter than a regular full Moon because it is was at its closest to Earth in a long time at full Moon and this is all due to the orbit not being a perfect circle around Earth. Thus at one point when the Moon is at its furthest distance from Earth, the full Moon will be appearing smallest, opposed to the supermoon where it is at its closest to Earth and appears the largest as was the case this time.

Up in the sky each full Moon looks much the same, perhaps brighter on a crispy clear winter’s night. But when the moon is seen and captured right above the landscape and buildings as seen here, it does indeed appear quite large today.

This full Moon I was extremely lucky, as not only was it a clear sky, but the moon was setting as the sun was rising in the opposite direction so I caught the lovely warm hues as the moon was hugging the western horizon.

The two horizontal lines crossing the moon are atmospheric layers, or clouds, and the entire moon appears as if seen through water as the light is passing through turbulence in the air.

Image Copyright © 2017 +Morten Ross
Image Capture Date: 04 December 2017 07:58
Altitude: 10 meters

#moon #dawn #winter #supermoon #norway #svartskog