[1] Largest Full Moon of 2009 is Saturday, January 10!

I see the Big Moon a Rising

Becky Ramotowski

It’s on its way and there’s nothing you can do about it….but there is something you should do and that’s shoot it!

What’s all the shootin’ about?

The largest Full Moon of 2009 lurks just days away (it was one of the suggested targets for the TAAS “No Rules Photo Show” [2] http://www.taas.org/taas/TAASPhotoShow2009.pdf) and now is the time to scout for cool foreground sites for Saturday.

Since moonrise is at 4:54 p.m. (local Mountain time zone) you may need to plan on shooting the Moon just before, during or after the Perihelion Banquet if banqueting is on your menu Saturday. 

Otherwise be aware that moonrise time is not the same as the time the Moon peeks over the Sandias, or Manzanos, or whatever mountains that may be blocking your view if you live where big honking rocks stick up out of the Earth.

You may need to wait a bit. 

You can figure out your actual moonrise time (the wait factor) compared to published rise times by going to heavens-above.com and looking up the rise time, then making a note of the time the Moon actually decides to make its appearance from your viewing, or picture taking spot-no matter where you are.

By showtime Saturday you should have your actual time all figured out and your stunning foreground selected so you can make your National Geographic cover shot of the Moon.

Get your cameras ready too.

Charge the batteries, dink and adjust your settings and find your tripod.  You’ll want to use a tripod even though the exposures should be short and even if your camera has image stabilization because the steadier the camera, the better the image.  Truly.

Don’t forget you can hand hold a pair of sunglasses in front of your camera to polarize the view and cut down on glare. 

You can also hand hold you camera up to the eyepiece on your telescope for a magnified shot.  Use your zoom if you have one to cut down the vignetting, and practice, practice practice before the big day.

Good luck!