Just in case you missed it, our west-facing weather webcam happened to catch the “super blood blue moon.” Certainly it isn’t as good as witnessing it in person but it does provide a cool look. You can see the shadow of the Earth clearly obscuring the moon as the event progresses. View full screen for the best view.
If you captured images of the celestial event, please share them with us so we can add them to our January slideshow.
If you get outside after dark tonight be sure to turn your eyes skyward and you will be treated to a rare celestial event. The moon will be full and it will appear considerably larger than normal as it is at its closest to Earth in 18 years.
NASA explains that full moon vary in size because of the oval orbital path our only natural satellite takes. Tonight the moon will be at its perigee – its closest point to the Earth which is about 31,000 miles closer than when it is at its farthest (apogee).
The end result is a moon that appears 14% bigger and an astonishing 30% brighter.
Where should you look?
Sunset occurs today at 7:09pm here in Thornton and the moon will soon follow rising at 7:37pm in the east and should appear to be its biggest at that point. It won’t be setting until early Sunday morning at 6:38 so you have plenty of time to enjoy the show but the start this evening will be the best time to get the full effect.
While it may appear close, the moon will still be 211,600 miles away so there is no danger of it crashing into us. 😉
The video from NASA below has more details: