Sunday 10th August was truly awful day with the remnants of a Caribbean hurricane sweeping in across the United Kingdom and bringing heavy grey clouds and a succession of fierce storms.
There seemed little prospect therefore of seeing the supermoon that was promised to pass close by. According to astronomers the moon was calculated to be closer to earth than it has been in the last twenty years, a mere 221,765 miles away which meant that it would be 15% bigger and 30% brighter than usual. The scientific name for a ‘supermoon’ is a perigee moon, perigee meaning closest point to earth and it refers to the phenomenon when the moon is in its full moon stage and at its closest point to earth during its yearly orbit.
I had read about it but on account of the weather did get over enthusiastic about seeing it but then a strange thing happened. At about 9 o’clock the clouds suddenly dissolved and left an inky black sky and a full moon so bright it shone through the windows as though it were day break. I rushed for the camera and went outside and managed a couple of shots before the clouds came back, closed in and it was gone.
Even for that very short time I think it was the best moon that I have ever seen!
Pretty good here in Amsterdam, Andrew, and the photo of the Super Moon over the Sydney Harbour Bridge was spectacular.
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I have seen some pretty spectacular shots on various web sites. Did you get a picture Richard?
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I forgot to go outside, silly me. I had promised myself I would but then got buried inside a novel. That’s a WOW photo, Andrew.
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Love the photo Andrew. It bought back memories of a night a few months ago when we were driving back through the Fens to Oakham and watching a new moon slip down towards the horizon. Back home I just managed to get a picture as it dipped down below the horizon behind some trees. I will send a copy in case you want to share it.
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That is an awesome photo Andrew! Well done.
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Thanks!
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Great shot, Andrew! Silly me, I forgot despite all the hype!
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You managed to get a great shot of the Super Moon. It lit our surroundings, even late into the night as it moved farther away.
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Yes, it was a couple of hours past its closest but it was cloudy then so I missed it!
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The clouds cleared for a while here Down Under in Queensland. Wasn’t it a beauty!
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It was magnificent and lucky to see it considering the weather.
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awesome photo of the supermoon. thanks for sharing. i totally missed it as it rained in my part if the world.
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That’s a shame. There is another one due on 9th September!
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Timing is everything and yours was great!
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