Topic: Moonstruck

[Mike]

A very simple question one would have thought, but something i don't even know....

What causes the moon to be blue on some nights and briliant yellow to orange on others on clear, cloudless nights?

Why does the moon look very large as it rises at night but diminishes significantly as it gains height?  It's not because the moon is 'closer' to the earth as it rises but an optical illusion isn't it?

My daughter would very much like to know the answer also!

*If you've noticed in the night sky of late, the moon, Saturn and Remulus are all grouped together.  I for one will be getting the larger lens out to get some shots.  Looks great as Remulus is just sitting at the top of the moon's crown with Saturn brightly lit next to the moon.  *

Mike

[Mike]

Dug up a neat photo.  Shows the moon with relfection of cloud on Earth from the Goes NOAA satellite.  * Pic courtesy of Operational Significant Event/NOAA website

Mike

[Michael Bath]

I've only ever noticed colour variations at moon-rise or moon-set and it certainly can look much bigger at those times.   Might be some relevant info to look at from here:

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap031011.html

[Dave Nelson]

hi Mike,

 quote ...  *If you've noticed in the night sky of late, the moon, Saturn and Remulus are all grouped together


   Remulus  ???    dont know anything up there by that name  what  are you referring to
maybe you have been led astray with a naming ?

   Planets  Saturn and Venus  are relatively close.   Maybe you meant Regulus ( alpha Leonis)     
 
Dave N

[Mike]

Oh most definitely probably wrong with the naming!  I got told about the event and missed the opportunity of taking a photo - it was so cool to see - but yes, to answer your question I'll go with what you put.  Thanks for clearing that up.

Mike