Explanation:
Last
week's Full Moon was hard to miss.
Rising on March 19, its exact full phase occurred within an hour
of perigee, the closest point in the Moon's orbit to Earth.
As a result it
appeared some 14 percent larger
and 30 percent brighter than a Full Moon near
apogee, the most distant point in the
elliptical lunar orbit.
Seen here, the near perigee Full Moon still
hugs the horizon, distorted by
atmospheric refraction
as it rises over Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The telescopic
night skyscape
was shot from Prospect Hill in
Waltham, Massachusetts, roughly 10 miles from the Boston skyline.
Just to the left of the orange lunar disk is the
distinctive control tower at Boston's Logan International Airport.
Topped by lights, the tall, twin towers of the cable-stayed Zakim Bridge
spanning the Charles River are also included in the scene.
If you managed to miss this perigee Full Moon, make a
note on your calendar.
Your next chance
to see the Moon this large and bright,
this time at full phase within only a few minutes of lunar perigee,
will be next year on May 6.
