Together with 82.37%* of all the other photographers on the planet, I spent last evening taking shots of the “supermoon”.
I am choosing not to use any of those today. Instead, I offer a view of one side of the Hutt Valley from the other. As I was lining up my camera and long lens for the imminent emergence of the moon, I noticed two things. First, that a bank of cloud was covering the tops of the Eastern Hills, thereby spoiling the chance of a nice moonlit outline of the hills. The other was that the last light of day was nicely illuminating the Fitzherbert repeater station which is just off the ridgeline firebreak on the Eastern Hills.
This shot was taken from the hill at the top of Maungaraki, adjacent to the water tower. I was quite intrigued by the density of the bush in the second row of hills. The front row is fairly solidly covered with a prickly mix of gorse and manuka, so I am guessing the next row is covered with substantial trees. The third row is capped with that cloud bank.
When I first arrived to set up my tripod at the water tower, I was alone. By the time the moon emerged, there were about a dozen people and four or five dogs. Twenty minutes later there must have been thirty people. I am mystified as to why this particular perigee syszygy has captured the attention of the media and hence the public. It happens every year, does it not? I can never recall so much hoopla as on this occasion.
But then, like many nurses, my dear wife is convinced that the full moon causes odd behaviour.
*67.93% of all statistics are made up on the spot!
Every year? More often than that – 3 times with a full moon
http://www.astropro.com/features/tables/cen21ce/suprmoon.html
Thanks John.