Full Moon

[elpea]

What is the significance of this lunar eclipse? How often does it happen? Why does the moon appear bigger this month?

[Loosehead]

The moon looks bigger due to a well know illusion, essentially when it's low in the sky we can compare it with objects in the line of sight, this makes it look bigger. The apparent size of the moon varies with distance but it's almost imperceptible.

See here: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsys tem/bigmoon_000105.html

The eclipse happens when the earth passes between the moon and the sun, no further significance.

[mibn2cweus]

The Moon has an elliptical monthly orbit around the Earth. The Moon is closest when apogee coincides with a Full Moon (especially in winter when the Sun is also closer) because it is aligned with the Suns gravity. This calendar shows the distance to the Moon at apogee (closest) and perigee (furthest) points in its orbit.


Comparison of Moons minimum/maximum apparent size from Earth

[mibn2cweus]

Although the Moon orbit�s the Earth monthly it does not always fall directly behind (usually above or below) the Earth�s shadow.

Eclipse Calendar

[mibn2cweus]

Hello . . . Is anybody home?
apogee (furthest/smallest)
perigee (closest/biggest)

hhhhooowwl . . .