Moon on Christmas Eve "brightest you've ever seen"

Mark Baard — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:47:07 +0000

Shiny: The Moon, photographed by P-M Heden of Vallentuna, Sweden. (via NASA)

The prose in this press release is purple, the planet is red. Mars and the Moon on December 24 will cross the sky together in a beautiful display, according to NASA (link, below).

The 98-percent-full Moon on Christmas Eve might also be the “brightest you’ve ever seen,” because it will be the highest-riding Moon we will experience until 2023.

NASA also uses this announcement to plug its back-to-the-Moon plans for 2020.

“Plans are to establish a lunar base for exploration,” the release reads, “and use the moon’s surface as a springboard to even further destinations.”

clipped from science.nasa.gov

It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re snuggled cozily in your den. A glowing fire gently crackles and pops in the fireplace, and your head starts to droop as you nod off. Just then, something cold and wet nudges your cheek.

You open your eyes to stare directly into a large black nose. It’s time to take the dog for his walk.

Grumbling in vain, you put on your coat, snap the leash onto the wiggling dog’s collar, open the door to a rush of cold air. You step outside and enter a magical landscape.

The Sci-Tech Heretic » skywatching

Moon on Christmas Eve "brightest you've ever seen"