From the Inside Out

As the full moon rises on Wednesday, you will get a unique view of its size. That’s because the moon will look unusually large as it rises in the evening. It’s simply an illusion (a trick that happens when the moon is near the horizon) that is more prominent during a full moon, but it’s a neat sight to behold. Even space station astronauts will witness the same effect.

According to an article on Yahoo News, “The illusion will be particularly noticeable at this ’solstice moon,’ coming just two days before summer starts in the Northern Hemisphere. The reason, according to NASA, lies in lunar mechanics: The sun and full moon are like kids on a see-saw; when one is high, the other is low. This week’s high solstice sun gives us a low, horizon-hugging moon and a strong, long-lasting version of the illusion.

Here’s how it works: Your mind believes things on the horizon are farther away than things overhead, because you are used to seeing clouds just a few miles above, but the clouds on the horizon can indeed be hundreds of miles away. So if we think something (such as the moon) is farther away, and it’s not, then it seems larger.

If you remain doubtful, test the idea yourself. Go out at moonrise with a small object, perhaps a pencil eraser. Hold it at arm’s length as the moon rises and compare the sizes of the moon and the eraser, then repeat the experiment an hour or two later when the moon is high in the sky.”

Moonrise times vary by location. On Wednesday, it will come up at these local times at these locations: Dallas, 9:03 p.m.; New York City, 8:58 p.m.; Seattle, 9:51 p.m.

Science was one of my favorite subjects in school.  Sometimes I still wonder how I ended up as an art major who eventually got a business degree.  I guess the popular, artsy side suppressed the inner geek.  Still, years later I continue to be fascinated by the way things work.  Meteorology, biology, chemistry, and astronomy…I love them all.  

Typically, I don’t allow the geek to surface, but sometimes she finds her way out.  Tonight is one of those nights.  So, be warned…here comes the astronomy news.

On April 6, the Japanese lunar orbiter “Kaguya” saw the earth, moon and sun line up.  It provided the perfect opportunity to capture a full ”Earth-rise” in HD video.  This line up occurs only twice a year.  The orbiter records the movies as it comes around the back side of the moon and into view of the Earth.  Click on the picture below to check it out.

Yes, I’m aware it’s a bit nerdy, but you have to admit the sight of our brightly colored planet rising from the darkness is beautiful.  It’s a sight that is unique in the universe – there’s nothing else like it. 

Earth is undoubtedly the most intriguing planetary body in our solar system.  I find it baffling that people can witness it’s beauty and complexity in the vast void of space and still not see the hand of a Creator.

Well, the weather in Dallas didn’t cooperate tonight.  My lunar eclipse experience was mostly obscured by clouds.  Fortunately, there were a few breaks in the clouds, so we did get some brief glimpses of the moon with it’s nice red glow.  The picture isn’t great, but it’s better than nothing.  The small dot on the bottom left is Saturn.  Check out other eclipse pics on Flickr; they are impressive.

Anyway, that’s all she wrote.  It’s over.  Hopefully, we’ll have better weather for the next lunar eclipse in 2010.

After my failed eclipse experience, I headed out to LifeTime Fitness for a late workout.  I was sick a few weeks ago and haven’t felt up to it since then.  My energy is finally returning, so I decided to get my workout back on track tonight.  It felt great! 

Working out isn’t high on my list of fun things to do, but it always makes me feel better.  Exercise burns away the stress and relaxes me.  Ah, it’s like I can feel the little endorphins running through my body right now, and they feel good.  Now if I could only get a massage, life would be perfect.  Unfortunately, it was too late for one. 

Speaking of massages, if you need a good massage therapist in the N. Dallas area, let me know.  I have a friend who works at LifeTime.  She gives one of the best massages I’ve ever had (and I’ve had plenty).  The rates are reasonable, and you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of the spa services.

In North America, tomorrow night will provide a glimpse of this year’s only total eclipse of the moon.  For those in the central time zone, the full lunar eclipse should occur at 9:01 pm.   

Weather forecasters are predicting partly cloudy skies in Dallas, which means we have a 50/50 chance of catching it.  Let’s hope for clear skies.  If we miss it this time, the next full eclipse won’t happen until late December, 2010. 

If it’s clear, I’m going to pull out the telescope to get a closer view of the action.  Saturn should be nearby along with the bright bluish star, Regulus. 

Throughout history, lunar eclipses have had an unusual effect on people.  Some feared them as a bad omen; others used them to their advantage.  One of the most famous examples of this is Christopher Columbus.   Stranded in Jamaica and running out of food, Columbus found himself at odds with the locals who had tired of providing sustenance for him and his crew.  Columbus studied his astronomical tables and learned that a lunar eclipse was forthcoming.  Seizing the opportunity, he told the native leaders that the Christian God was angry with the people because they refused to supply food.  To prove his point, he warned that the moon would disappear.  The following night, the moon turned red and was hidden by earth’s shadow during the eclipse.   The natives were terrified.  They came to Columbus with food and pleaded for him to intercede on their behalf.  Of course, he did, and the rest is history.  His men were well supplied until they were rescued a few months later. 

Interesting…huh?