Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Strange, Fabulous Moon Last Night

February 2, 2014

Good morning.  It's 5:45 am and I'm still at work.  Mrs behaved so well last night.  Thank goodness because I haven't been here at work for quite some time.  I probably could have used a couple more weeks at home but you know how it is.  I've been getting so bored being cooped up indoors, plus the bills do keep coming in. 

God bless those bills.  They are like the Postal Service used to be.  "Come rain or shine, we will get through."  Well, the rest of the mail may not live up to its motto, but the bills sure do.  I guess the plus side of this is "I'm thankful to be here to have these bills."

Folks, last night all the way to work there was this most amazing moon in the sky just ahead of me.  It was big and round and black, and only a sliver on the bottom and up the right side a little was showing.  I don't think I've ever seen the sliver on the bottom, and I could not wait to get to work and take some photos of this incredible moon. 

Well, guess what?  The moon was not visible from work.  What else is new?  There was a lot of cloud cover and all that was visible was a couple of stars.  I did take some photos of the brightest one.  I Googled to see which comet this is, and the best I can come up with is Venus.  (or maybe Mercury?) This is my photo.  I had the zoom all the way out.


I also looked up (on Google) the phenomenal moon that I saw, and came up with some fabulous photos taken by someone else.  (Bob King)  It also gave me an explanation for the crescent on the bottom that I had seen.  These are just like the moon that I saw on my way to work last night.



These two photos were taken in Duluth, Minnesota.  In the first photo, the moon sets over Duluth's Spirit Mountain ski hills where many of the runs were lit up.  The darkly lit moon is explained by light reflected off Earth and out to the moon, where it is reflected back again to our eyes. (Bob King)

In the second photo,  the wafer thin crescent moon is alongside Mercury over the Duluth, MN - Superior, WI area during twilight.  The planet was visible for more than 1 hour and 15 minutes after sunset.  (Bob King)  You can learn more at:  http://astrobob.areavoices.com/#sthash.D54Ywrn7.dpuf

So I guess what I saw was Mercury passing the moon?  I'm not really sure but it sure was different.  I just wish I had been able to get some photos.   I just looked out again because the sky is getting light now, but it is still filled with cloud cover.  Oh well.

It's time now for me to check on the Mrs again and then start to pack up my stuff to head home.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

4 comments:

The Queen Jester said...

Thank you for sharing the lovely moon photo. I'm seldom up or looking outside during the times of the night that you are on the prowl so I can only experience it through your photos.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

We had cloud cover too last night so missed this beautiful moon. No stars either, just dark skies. The cloud cover is good in that it holds in what little heat there was from the day time, but then I have missed a lot of beautiful terrestrial sights because of untimely clouds.

Good to hear that you are well enough to return to work and that the Mrs. was on her good behavior for you. I am guessing Pogo wasn't happy to see you go ... he was probably quite content having you home even if you were coughing all of the time.

I am going to have my own "work" through the month of Februrary ... I am cat sitting for two different neighbors and bird sitting for the NIRC. It will be like running a zoo, as if my own zoo wasn't enough. But, suffice it to say, I love animals and enjoy their company (sometimes more than humans) so I plan to soak all of this lovin' in and enjoy every minute of it.

Both of my kids birthdays are coming up so I have some preparations for them to do.
We usually just have an ice cream cake (None of us are big on cake except my FH and he likes ice cream too, so he will be fine). I already had JG's presents since Christmas and JR we are donating some funds for his next Thailand trip which is coming up in March, so everything is pretty much under control.

Now I have to go wrack my brain to figure out what to do with the adorable picture QJ put up for Photoshop Friday. I am stumped because the little girl is so cute, I don't want to mess with her. But, alas, I will give it a try :) I assume you will be joining PSF too, right? You get some nice rest today and hope your nights work is as uneventful as the last. Be well, Edna and hugs to Pogo.

Andrea @ From The Sol

Nani said...

I understand about the bittersw… well, bitter but sweetish if you really think it over, of bills. I’m grateful that we have the goods and services that we’re billed for and thankful we can pay them, but I want to pay my share of the household expenses and really, I long for the day I don’t qualify for copay assistance on my meds. I just got the confirmation that they’ll pay 90% of my copay on my MS medication, which I desperately need the help with. SO glad I have that, but I’d love it if those funds could help someone else because I have enough not to need the help. :)

I like the astronomy photos and info! If the moon you saw was anything like the photos you shared, you saw a pretty cool sight!

I gotta get working on the sauce for our Super Bowl groundhog barbecue tonight. LOL

Hugs, Nani

smiekeltje said...

Nice start of your work again, that the Mrs. was in a pretty good mood. I think she missed you!
Hopefully it is not too soon that you picked up work again!
But i can understand you wanted to get out of the house after so many weeks.
You take a good rest when you come home and yeah, Pogo will be sooooooo happy when you come through the door again!
I cannot remember I ever saw a moon like this, looks real pretty!
Have a good day, and take care!
Hugs
Kyra