Super moon 2012

Super moon rising over Pelly Crossing, Yukon

Did you get the chance to see last night's moon rise?  It was simply spectacular.

Last night's full moon was referred to as a "super moon".  The phenomenon, also known as a perigee moon, is caused by the elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit around the Earth.  Last night, the moon appeared 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.

For us, here in Pelly Crossing, last night's super moon was partially obscured by a thin layer of clouds.  Nevertheless, the moonrise had a dramatic flair to it.

Super moons occur, on average, once a year.

Check out last year's super moon 

Photo info:  Nikon 700 with Nikkor 300mm with 1.7x tele convertor (total 500mm).  ISO 800, f/6.3 @ 1/15sec. Mounted on tripod with cable release.

Super Moon

Nikon D700, Nikkor 600mm f/4 at 1/640 f/7.1

Tonight the skies over much of North America were graced with the presence of the perigee moon - a super moon of sorts.   Due to the elliptical nature of its orbit the moon today approached its closest point to the Earth - some 50,000km closer.  As a result our nearest celestial body appeared 30% brighter and 14% larger than a normal full moon.   This natural phenomenon occurs at least once every twenty or so years.  More info can be found by reading super full moon.

As the moon was rising shortly after sunset a neighbouring pack of coyotes welcomed it with a chorus of high pithed howls.  So neat to hear them again in the wilds of Ontario.  

Thanks Shell for loaning me the 600mm lens to snap tonights image.  A fabulous lens!

Hope you had the opportunity to see tonights super moon in your corner of the world.

Good night,  Claus