Perigee Moon Over Half Moon Bay

Last night, an unusual event took place up in the sky in Half Moon Bay (and the rest of this place we call earth). Not only was the moon brighter than usual, it was also wider than usual.

The moon was a perigee moon. A perigee moon is defined as the moon at the point when it is closest to the earth in its orbital path. Though perigee moons occur about once a month (August is the only month projected to have two perigee moons in 2011, for example), the one that swung our way last night on March 19 was considered to be extra special as it was the largest since March 1993, according Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC, who was quoted in an article written by Dr. Tony Phillips at NASA Science News.

Phillips writes that perigee moons in general "are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter" than moons at the apogee end of its orbit. An apogee moon is the opposite of a perigee moon: the point when the moon is farthest away from the earth in its orbital path. Given the comparative magnitude of last night's wonder compared to other perigee moons, it's no surprise that last night's version was being called a "super full moon."

With the rain and the strong winds, most Half Moon Bay and Coastside residents hoping to catch a view last night weren't as lucky as other moongazers who got a good look under clear skies.

, photographer and Half Moon Bay resident was able to catch a clear moment, though, and snapped a photo with her iPhone. Thanks to Laura, if you weren't able to see the super perigee moon last night because you were sheltering yourself from the storm, you can see what it looked like under our skies from her photo posted here.

-- Story by Kristine Wong; Photo by Laura McHugh