Experience a breathtaking full moon this weekend

The moon is always changing and each full moon is different

January 14, 2017

Nadine Maré 1 minute read

A full moon captured by Bianca Pindrall recently.

Every full moon is special and this month it will be as promising as always.

At full moon, the moon and sun are in line with each other, with the Earth in between. This happens once a month and can be seen throughout the weekend. A full moon is the lunar phase that occurs when the moon is completely illuminated as seen from Earth. This occurs when Earth is located directly between the sun and the moon.

The moon is always changing and no two full moons will ever look the same. The full moon has played an important role in myths and legends throughout human history. Research has shown that a full moon does actually affect your sleep. It’s believed that people take five more minutes to fall asleep and wake up 20 minutes earlier than usual.

Here are some myths about a full moon which you can safely ignore:

• It makes dogs and cats go crazy

• It makes children more active

• Full moon makes everyone nuts

• It affects your mood

When things are perfectly aligned and the moon is 100 per cent full, there is a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly behind the Earth into its shadow. This light looks red for the same reason that the sunset looks red. A total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon.

The next lunar eclipse will occur on 11 February – and we will be able to see it!