Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Dec. 12 6:59 4:11

Sat., Dec. 13 6:59 4:11

Sun., Dec. 14 7:00 4:11

Mon., Dec. 15 7:01 4:12

Tues., Dec. 16 7:02 4:12

Wed., Dec. 17 7:02 4:12

Thurs., Dec. 18 7:03 4:12

Fri., Dec. 19 7:04 4:13

Extreme tides are taking place this week, the most tonight and this weekend. The reason is astronomical. The moon is both full and close, closer than at any time since 1993.

Since tides are created by the gravitational pull of both the sun and moon, when the moon gets this close and is also full, the pull of both celestial objects is greatest. Gravity is one of the strongest forces in the universe, shaping planets and galaxies. The gravity of the sun and moon impact our high and low tides.

Expect the tides to be highest at noon and around midnight through this weekend.

Being close, tonight’s full moon is also the biggest we’ve seen in a while.

Compounding the pleasant sight is another fact, an illusion. A full moon always looks largest just as it rises over the horizon, or just before it sets in the west in the morning.

This is the Holly Moon, a seasonal sign of the year.

Planets

Venus and Jupiter appear in the western sky. The two planets are easy to see, within an hour after sunset. Venus is the brightest and the higher of the two. Jupiter is the largest and also the most distant.

The ringed planet Saturn doesn’t rise until late. Saturn is entering into the zodiacal constellation Virgo and will be there for the next two years.

M.A.L.