A Skygazer's Full Moon
Credit & Copyright:
Robert Gendler
This dramatically sharp picture of the full moon was
recorded on 22 December, 1999 by astroimager
Rob Gendler.
Big, beautiful, bright, and
evocative, it was the last
full moon of the Y1.9Ks, pleasing and inspiring even
casual skygazers.
December's
moon was special for another reason, as
the full
phase
occurred on the day of the winter solstice and within hours
of lunar perigee.
The first full moon of the year 2000 will bring
a special treat
as well, presenting denizens of planet Earth with
a total lunar eclipse.
On Thursday evening, January 20, the
moon will encounter the dark edge of Earth's shadow at 10:01 PM
Eastern Time
with the total eclipse phase beginning at 11:05 PM
and lasting for 77 minutes.
This lunar eclipse will be visible from North and South America and
Western Europe (total phase begins at 4:05 AM GMT January 21).