Full Moon at Christmas: the first for 38 years – France Soir

NASA had announced, and the show was not disappointing. For the first time in 38 years, on Christmas night coincided with a full moon night. The lucky ones were able to observe over the Christmas ornaments.

Everyone, however, has not had the privilege to admire this show in optimal conditions, because of the time difference . In France, has been full in the day Friday 25 to 12:11. This is notably the United States it is detached in the sky during at 6:11, time for the East Coast.

This event will not happen before Christmas 2034, the agency notes American space. The Moon is in fact perfectly full only once every 28 days or so, at a specific time, because soon she will again decrease, although in the early days it is even (almost) round.

“When we look at the moon for such an occasion, it is useful to recall (it) is more than a celestial neighbor” says John Keller, center NASA Goddard (Maryland). “The geological history of the Moon and Earth are closely linked so that the Earth would be a totally different planet without the Moon” , he said.

Full Moon occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned in that order. Sunlight then illuminates the entire face of our satellite.

After having long been neglected since its conquest in the 60 and 70, the Moon made new dream different space agencies. NASA, the LRO probe currently around the Moon, considering manned observation flights in 2021, and then astronauts will arise again walk around 2030. The Russians hope to go as soon as 2029.