If it felt like last night everything seemed to shine a little more, that’s because it is. The extra silver glimmer on the ocean and corresponding milky, illuminated streets, weren’t imaginary. In fact, to the human eye, it was the
If it felt like last night everything seemed to shine a little more, that’s because it is.
The extra silver glimmer on the ocean and corresponding milky, illuminated streets, weren’t imaginary.
In fact, to the human eye, it was the brightest night of the year. The moon appeared 15 percent wider and 30 percent brighter, Honolulu astronomer Carolyn Kaichi said yesterday.
“It’s the closest point in the moon’s orbit to earth,” the Bishop Museum Planetarium manager said. “That means the moon looks bigger and brighter than normal … but it’s sort of a relative thing.”
The moon is 30,000 miles closer to earth than the farthest point in its orbit, she said, noting its average distance is 230,000 miles away.
“It’s not that big a difference in astronomical terms,” she said. “But if you go outside and look at the moon tonight, it really does look pretty big.”
The moon will look roughly 15 percent wider and 30 percent brighter this evening and overnight, Kaichi said.
AccuWeather.com forecasts the moonrise at 5:47 p.m. today and moonset at 7:16 a.m. tomorrow.
The moon generally rises and sets 45 minutes to an hour later each day, said Kaichi, who is in charge of astronomy-related educational programs for the public and schools.
The Hawaiians are among the most spectacular navigators, perhaps among the best in the world, according to www.instanthawaii.com.
“They have a deep understanding of the ocean and current, but also of the stars and the movement of the moon,” an article on the Web site states. “That being the case, it should come as no surprise that the moon plays a very important role in the lives of the Hawaiians.”
The article continues that each lunar phase has a specific name in Hawaiian, some associated with kapu as well as times for planting, fishing and gathering.
Hawaiian tradition considers there to be four full moons — Hua, Akua, Hoku and Mahealani.
Each full moon represents something different, ranging from a good night for planting seeds to good luck fishing, the Web site states.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
