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Super Worm Moon Photos (Update)
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SuperMoon occurs when the Moon is close to 100 percent perigee. The Farmer’s Almanac notes, “When the Moon is full, it sits exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. When it’s new, it sits between the Earth and the Sun. In both cases, the gravitational pull from the Moon and the Sun combine to create larger than normal tides, called “spring tides.” And when the Moon is also at perigee, the effect is magnified into what is called a “proxigean spring tide.” This week’s extreme SuperMoon is the fourth since 2005, and the largest and brightest since 1992. The Moon will be 221,567 miles away, just a tiny bit closer than its average closest distance of about 223,500 (the Moon’s average distance from the Earth is 235,000, and its average furthest distance is 248,000 miles). “Even though this particular full Moon is larger than normal and at its closest point to the Earth, it is unlikely to cause much disruption on Earth, beyond the usual proxigean spring tide. These tides are usually stronger when the Moon is new than when it’s full, so the conventional wisdom is that the upcoming event will result only in slightly higher than normal spring tides.” You may be asking why the moon was called the WORM Moon. There’s an explanation for that, too. “As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins,” the Farmer’s Almanac notes. “The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter.” So… whatever you want to call it… the moon looked absolutely amazing last night and we’ve got some really great photos to share with you. First, you’ll notice the featured photo at the top of the page. This photo was sent to us by Amanda Stokes via our Facebook page. We have to credit Amanda with cluing us in on what was going on with the moon. We’ve been headed in so many different directions lately that we would have missed it if she didn’t give us the heads up! Thanks, Amanda! Here’s a couple of photos that were taken by Ashley Johnson.
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And lastly, here’s a really cool photo that Vicksburg Daily News owner Cristy Whittington snapped last night. You can click on this one to see it in full size, but what you’re seeing is a lens flare – or moon-spot, if you will. The spot on the right side of the image is actually the reflection of the moon on the lens of the camera, through the UV filter on her camera. We think it’s pretty awesome.