The last full moon of 1999 provided a spectacular show last night as it was up to 20 per cent brighter than usual and cast huge shadows, especially in rural areas away from street and house lights. And by co-incidence the first full moon of 2000 will involve a total eclipse.
Prof Mark Bailey of Armagh Observatory said the unusually bright moon was due to the fact that the earth and sun are at their closest and the moon also is at its closest orbit to earth at this time.
The phenomenon has nothing to do with the winter solstice which occurred earlier this week but with the relative closeness of the sun, moon and earth to each other.
Mr David Moore of Astronomy Ireland said he was enjoying the lunar spectacle from his car and commented that it was "quite spectacular. The moon has put on a good show for us tonight". He also pointed out that the next full moon on the 20th/21st January will involve a total eclipse.
Mr Moore also said Astronomy Ireland was investigating reports from Cork, Kerry and Galway of a fireball about 5 p.m. yesterday and that the planets Jupiter and Saturn were in close conjunction in the constellation Aries, giving a "Star of Bethlehem" effect.