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Earthsky Tonight - Nov 02 2009
November full moon mimics sun's path in May
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It’s sometimes said that the full moon stays up all night and sleeps in all day.
That’s exactly what the November full moon will do tonight. All full moons rise around sunset and set around sunrise. Tonight’s November full moon – like the full moon at any season – shines from sundown to sunup, and climbs to its highest point in the sky around midnight.
In the northern hemisphere, some people will call this November full moon the Hunter’s Moon, because this full moon is the one that immediately follows the Harvest Moon. Others will call it the Frosty or Beaver Moon. In the southern hemisphere, where it’s now spring, the November full moon could be called the Flower Moon.
Because the full moon occurs when the moon is most directly opposite the sun for the month, the full moon’s path across the sky mimics that of the sun six months from now. In both the northern and southern hemispheres, the November full moon rises in the east-northeast and sets in the west-northwest – just as the sun does in May. In the northern hemisphere, tonight’s full moon will soar up high – like the springtime sun. But south of the equator, the moon will follow the low path of the late autumn sun.
The full moon shines from dusk till dawn tonight, unless you live north of the Arctic Circle. That far north, the moon mimics the midnight sun, staying out for 24 hours around the clock.
Although tonight’s moon can be seen from anywhere worldwide – except southern Antarctica – its path in the sky varies, depending on where you live.
Full moon: November 2 at 19:14 Universal Time
(1:14 p.m. Central Time)
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Written by Bruce McClure
Comments (7)
at 11.42 am on 10-28-2009 I.P.
Btw.: November Full moon also mimics the path of Last Quarter in August and path of First Quarter in February.
Generally: Moon, when it is full, follows its own path, when it is in Last Quarter three months earlier and its own path, when it is in First quarter three months later.
Back to November Full Moon: If you go out 8 P.M., there will be light like in daytime and the landscape will resemble itself in beggining of May and in 8 A.M.
Replyat 6.05 pm on 11-02-2009 Glenna Stout
Hoping everyone see the moon tonight. Just beautiful in Oklahoma City
Replyat 6.59 pm on 11-02-2009 James
I'm just discovering the night sky, in California.
Thank you for this web site.
I'll look for the Full Moon tonight
Replyat 8.18 pm on 11-03-2009 John
Do winter full moons(in the northern hemisphere) rise to a higher peak in the sky then do summer full moons? If so, why?
Replyat 07.09 am on 11-04-2009 Bruce McClure
Yes, John, winter full moons (in either hemisphere) reach a higher peak in the sky than do summer full moons. For the moon to be full, it has to be opposite - or nearly opposite - the sun in Earth's sky. That means the full moon mirrors the path of the sun for six months henceforth.
Bruce
at 11.10 pm on 12-02-2009 Amy Jo
The moon in Reno, NV is mesmerizing tonight. I first noticed it around 5:30 P.M. it was gigantic. It made me feel serene and at peace inside!Those of you who admired the MoOn tonight are special. I am between the moon and where you all are. Blessed be.
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at 11.42 am on 10-28-2009 I.P.
Btw.: November Full moon also mimics the path of Last Quarter in August and path of First Quarter in February.
Generally: Moon, when it is full, follows its own path, when it is in Last Quarter three months earlier and its own path, when it is in First quarter three months later.
Back to November Full Moon: If you go out 8 P.M., there will be light like in daytime and the landscape will resemble itself in beggining of May and in 8 A.M.
at 6.05 pm on 11-02-2009 Glenna Stout
Hoping everyone see the moon tonight. Just beautiful in Oklahoma City
Replyat 6.59 pm on 11-02-2009 James
I'm just discovering the night sky, in California.
Thank you for this web site.
I'll look for the Full Moon tonight
at 8.18 pm on 11-03-2009 John
Do winter full moons(in the northern hemisphere) rise to a higher peak in the sky then do summer full moons? If so, why?
Replyat 07.09 am on 11-04-2009 Bruce McClure
Yes, John, winter full moons (in either hemisphere) reach a higher peak in the sky than do summer full moons. For the moon to be full, it has to be opposite - or nearly opposite - the sun in Earth's sky. That means the full moon mirrors the path of the sun for six months henceforth.
Bruce
at 11.10 pm on 12-02-2009 Amy Jo
The moon in Reno, NV is mesmerizing tonight. I first noticed it around 5:30 P.M. it was gigantic. It made me feel serene and at peace inside!Those of you who admired the MoOn tonight are special. I am between the moon and where you all are. Blessed be.
Reply