This year will be the first full moon to occur on the winter solstice, Dec.<BR>22nd, commonly called the first day of winter. Since a full moon on the<BR>winter solstice occurs in conjunction with a lunar perigee (point in the<BR>moon's orbit that is closest to Earth), the moon will appear about 14%<BR>larger than it does at apogee (the point in it's elliptical orbit that is<BR>farthest from the Earth). Since the Earth is also several million miles<BR>closer to the sun at this time of the year than in the summer, sunlight<BR>striking the moon is about 7% stronger making it brighter. Also, this will<BR>be the closest perigee of the Moon of the year since the moon's orbit is<BR>constantly deforming. If the weather is clear and there is a snow cover<BR>where you live, it is believed that even car headlights will be<BR>superfluous.<P>On December 21st. 1866 the Lakota Sioux took advantage of this combination<BR>of occurrences and staged a devastating retaliatory ambush on soldiers in<BR>the Wyoming Territory.<BR>In laymen's terms it will be a super bright full moon, much more than the<BR>usual AND it hasn't happened this way for 133 years!<BR>Our ancestors 133 years ago saw this. Our descendants 100 or so years from<BR>now will see this again. I hope someone else might find this interesting!<BR>Remember this will happen December 22, 1999.....<P>

Wow, thanks for the info. I, for one, will be taking a look!

Unfortunately, December 21 will not be so bright for me as it:<P> a) would be our 6th wedding aniversary<BR> b) will be the day I get her proposal for asset division.<P>Happy Anniversary to me.

Thanks for the info. I'll remember December 22, 1999 because it will be my 46th birthday.

Thanks for the info, Essy.<P>Maybe I'll get my h. to join me for a howl at the moon!<P>LIz\POGP<P>------------------<BR><BR>"I have found the Pearl of Great Price"<BR>

WOW! Love it and am looking forward to it! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, I'll remember hope there isn't a cloud in the sky. That is the day after my H's 50th birthday.<P>------------------<BR>di<P>

Hey that is cool...maybe I will go into labor then. They say more babies are born during a full moon. I am due Jan. 5th and hope to go a little early.