MONSTER MOON RISE - 14 August 2014

Moon Rise Between the Mittens - Monument Valley Tribal Park

Link to full sized image: http://www.tom-hill.biz/Galleries/Scenics/Arizona/i-4tc83SX/A
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There has been a lot of hyperbole used when describing the recent full moons--Giant, Super, Monster. Really, it's the same moon as it has been for billions of years. It just happens to be at perigee in its orbit around the earth when its full. The moon is on an elliptical orbit meaning in its travels there are times when it's closer than other times. Perigee is when the moon is at its closest point in its orbit. This is simple orbital mechanics. It happens. It's like predictable and you've probably seen it before and thought "wow, the moon looks so obvious." And, yo probably didn't use super in your description.

Words making it sound like it's the regular moon except on steroids don't have to be used to adequately describe whats going on (no drugs were involved in the size of the moon unless you happen to use them yourself). I believe words such as "super" that emphasize the dramatic should be reserved for those times when it is special. After all, what word do you use when there's truly something amazing going on, like a once in a lifetime event? Do you use "super awesome" as a way to taking it to "11"--if you've seen the movie, "This is Spinal Tap," you'll understand what taking it to "11" means.

I made my way to Monument Valley this past weekend to shoot the full moon. It was a great night with clouds, color, and wonderful scenery. Not everything came together just as I hoped. The moon was too low in an obscuring haze when the last red light of the setting sun disappeared from the Mittens. Still, it was a wonderful sight to behold.

Cheers

Tom

Sunset