Wednesday, February 16, 2022
2022: From "Super" Moon to "Mini" Moon and back, a year of full Moons
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| Full Moon January 18, 21:00 AEST. Apogee 12th. | Full Moon February 17 FM 3:08 AEST Maximum libration 3:00 pm | Full Moon March 18 FM 17:00 AEST. |
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| Full Moon April 17 05:00, AEST | Full Moon May 16 14:00 AEST, perigee May 18 1 am (+1d11h) | Full Moon June 14 22:00 AEST, perigee June 15 09:00 +11h |
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| Full Moon July 14 05:00 AEST. perigee July 13 19:00 (-9h, closest this year) | Full Moon August 12 12:00 AEST. Perigee 11th 3am | Full Moon September 10 20:00 AEST.maximum libration 6 am 11th. |
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| Full Moon October 10 07:00 AEST, | Full Moon November 8 21:00, Total Lunar eclipse, eclipse max 20:59 AEST | Full Moon December 8 14:00 AEST Moon at apogee 12th +3d20h |
A year of full Moons showing the variation in size as the moons move from perigee to apogee. All the moons are shown on the day and time (AEST) they are full (unless they are below the horizon, in which case the size at astronomical twilight is shown), and although this is not the optimal time for size comparisons, you can clearly see the size difference over the year (compare July 14 to December 8) the original scale for all is 2 degrees of field of view cropped down). Although the field rotation of the Moon makes it less clear, you can also see the effect of libration.
In 2022 we have two good Perigee Moon is a row (June 15, July 14). However, as you can see the differences are subtle, and it requires a keen eye and good memory to distinguish a perigee "super" Moon from more ordinary moons, the best contrast is with the apogee "mini" moon of December 8, even though this is not a good apogee Moon).
That doesn't mean you shouldn't try though. Daniel Fischer has been able to see the difference, you can read
his account and viewing tips here
http://earthsky.org/space/can-you-discern-supermoons-large-size-with-the-eye-an-observer-says-yes
Photographing them can be more rewarding. You can see images of perigee Moon and apogee Moon pairs from 21 Jan 2019 here and 10 August 2014 here.Tips for photographing them are here.
There is also a Total Lunar eclipse on November 8 in the early evening, with eastern and central states favored.4
Labels: apogee, Moon, perigee, public outreach, Yearly Moons
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