June full moon mirrors path of December sun
(Credit: David. Some rights reserved.)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Today’s full moon comes two days before June 20…
And that’s this year’s date of summer solstice for the northern hemisphere and winter solstice for the southern hemisphere. This solstice is also called the northern solstice, because the sun reaches its northernmost point for the year for all of us on this special day.
At every full moon, the moon stands opposite the sun in our sky. That’s why the moon looks full. Around the world tonight, the moon will rise around sunset, climb to its highest point around midnight and set around sunrise.
But, like every full moon, the full moon of the month of June has its own special quality. In June, the full moon travels low as seen from the northern hemisphere. It mimics the path of the December sun across the sky.
And this full moon rides especially low for us in this hemisphere, because it comes so near the solstice. As seen from both the northern and southern hemispheres, the moon – like the December solstice sun – will rise far south of due east and set far south of due west. North of the Arctic Circle, tonight’s moon – like the winter sun – will be too far south to climb above the horizon.
Meanwhile, in the southern hemisphere – where it’s winter now – tonight’s moon will mimic the summer sun, arcing high in the heavens. South of the Antarctic Circle, the moon will simulate the midnight sun – up around the clock.
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