Cloudy Skies Could Hide Tonight’s First Super Moon
Mostly cloudy skies with chances for rain will make it difficult, if not downright impossible, for West Alabama residents to view the first "Super Moon" of the year tonight. But don't despair, this is the first of three chances to view one before the end of the year.
Tonight's "Super Moon" will take place as 10:48 pm CDT, but local moonrise times vary depending on location. The moon will still appear full the night after its peak to the casual stargazer. But clouds may still obscure it tomorrow night as well.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) defines a "Super Moon" as occurring, "...when the full moon coincides with the moon being at the point in its orbit within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, called perigee. This makes the moon appear slightly brighter and closer than usual, though the difference is difficult to notice with the naked eye.
The name "Super Moon" is given to the full Moon closest to the autumn equinox which took place on September 22nd this year. It is also a "Harvest Moon", which can fall anytime between September and October.
Tonight's full Moon has yet another name, leading to an identity crisis, it is also known as the "Hunter's Moon", but this year it's also the Harvest Moon and "Super Moon."
Often, we would see a harvest moon in September, but this year it's happening later than usual. In fact, tonight is the latest it's been seen in more than 35 years.
If we are not able to view the "Super Harvest Hunter's Moon" tonight, there will be two more chances before the year comes to an end, and they too have special names. The first, the "Beaver Moon" will be Wednesday, November 5 at 7:19pm CST...The last will be the "Cold Moon" on December 4 at 5:14pm CST.
NASA produces a daily, or should I say, nightly, Interactive Moon Guide that will give you in-depth information on moon watching year around.
As Jack Horkheimer, the late host of PBS' astronomy show Star Gazers, famously used to say as his signature closing line, "Keep looking up!"
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