contributed by Leah Robinson March 19, 2011
When the Moon is at Perigee, closer to the Earth, there is much more gravitational pull which contributes to higher tides or greater variation in the high and low tide.
March 19th’s Perigee Moon is the biggest, 14% bigger than usual, in almost 20 years!
The last full Moon so big and close to the Earth happened in March of 1993.
Here in Blackney Pass we are witnessing quite the tidal exchange.
The current across the Pass sounds like a river and a large variety of driftwood is on the move.
The wind blew around 17 kts, SE in Johnstone Strait and the rain fell for a good portion of the day.
The clouds were thick and they stretched out as far as the eye could see.
We were thinking that we may not get the opportunity to view this phenomenon.
But, as the night grew dark, the clouds began to disperse and the “Super Full Moon” began to intermittently show itself.
By 2200hrs the moon came through so big and bright that it lit up the entire Pass!
The mountains on Vancouver Island were as clear as day!
Wispy clouds lingered in Johnstone Strait, beyond the lab, as the moon’s reflection shone in a tidal pool on the nearby rocks.
A Mink swam by the lab through the moonbeam bouncing off the water’s surface.
The air was still and the sea was glass, as the tide rose for the second time of the day.
You could hear the breath of the Steller’s as they swam about…if you turned down the speaker’s continuous drone of the boat engines, sounding underwater.
However, above the surface of our local waters the night was quiet, peaceful and absolutely glorious!
Thank you Perigee, Super Full, Grandmother Moon for watching over the waters of the Earth!
Many thanks to Leah for a lovely description of an incredible evening on Hanson Island!
