Shoot the Moon

Tonight, Jan. 10th, the biggest full Moon of 2009 is outside and in full view here is South Florida.

Perigee full moons come along once or twice a year. Tonight’s perigee moon is about 16 hours from the month’s full moon. On January 30, 2010, the perigee and full moons will be just 2 hours apart.

The moon’s orbit is an ellipse, so when it is at its closest approach to earth, or perigee, the moon comes much closer to the Earth than at its apogee, or greatest distance, so it appears about 14% wider and 30% brighter than normal.