Wolf Moon

Tonight is supposed to be the biggest and brightest moon of 2010.  It’s called a “Wolf Moon”

Here’s why…

The moon is around 238,855 miles from us.

The moon orbits around earth and causes it to go through all it’s phases monthly. Since it’s not a perfect circle, one side of the orbit is 31,070 miles closer.

In each  orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee.  Once or twice a year this Perigee coincides with a full moon, making it appear larger and brighter than normal.  This is what will occur tonight.

Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. It will look like a reddish star like object.

Unfortunately, here in Georgia we have a storm approaching from the Gulf and it’s very cloudy. It’s doubtful we will see this beautiful moon!