Tonight there is a fantastic moon, staring in at the window as I write. It was apparently at its fullest around 6 earlier on this evening: it looks magnificent amongst the few silver-lit clouds . Last night it lit my way home on a mile and half walk through the village, which has very few street lights, throwing a very strong moon shadow.
When I checked my email earlier I had one claiming the following:
“Two moons on 27th August 2010
27th Aug the Whole World is waiting for………….
Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August. It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will cultivate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles off earth. Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth has 2 moons.
The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.
Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again.
Venetia Yap”
It’s a spoof
“Here are the facts. Seven years ago, on August 27, 2003, the oscillating orbits of Mars and Earth did, in fact, bring the two planets closer together than at any other time during the past 50,000 years. And though Mars never actually appeared “as large as the full moon to the naked eye” — not even close — it was indeed, for a few special days in 2003, among the brightest objects in the night sky.” (Taken from this web page)
Boadicea's Chariot 
Evenin’ Pseu – At 1.00 AM here it is a balmy 28º and I’ve just been out onto the upstairs terrace to have a look at the cloudless sky. The moon is just past full and there is indeed a bright star in close-ish proximity, but it is tiny compared with the moon. As you suggest, this is a typical bit of sensationalist, uneducated American moonshine. 🙂
OZ
Morning Oz…. such a beautiful moon couldn’t pass without comment, but the email made me smile, especially as it has been ‘doing the rounds’ so long. Year on year!
We have a certain Autumnal quality to the air this morning.
Mornin’ Pseu – I was up and about just before dawn. It was a comfortable 25º and cloudless yet again. The forecast is for something around 33-34º around noon as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow.
With all the Sahara dust in the air at present, the moon appears over the horizon like a fiery orange ball, turning gradually whiter as it climbs in the sky. Quite spectacular!
OZ
Morning OZ,
I am surprised no-one has posted this here yet, seems compulsory to me. 🙂
Thank you Ferret.
Very apposite
Enjoyed the Cat Stevens, Nym and the Furry One’s clip was also excellent.
Autumnal? Yes indeed, but typical Bank Holiday weather.
Hi Ara, yes, the weather is getting ready for the Bank Hol it seems: though a weather report that says it may not be too bad. I’ll beleive it when I see it.
Pseu – And people still think there was music after this?? Eat your talentless, chav-centric ‘career’ out, Mr Cowell.
OZ