Super moon interests students

The biggest and brightest full moon of the year arrived Saturday night and illuminated Wahkiakum County.

Though students have studied the phases of the moon in the classroom, Saturday’s “super moon” offered an up close and personal lesson on the lunar phenomena.

“The moon was out but it felt like it was still light outside,” said Thomas Middle School seventh grade science student Sydney Hansen of the event. “It was a glorious masterpiece.”

Hansen’s classmate Haley Kerstetter was also sure to witness the largest moon of the year.

“The moon was gorgeous,” Kerstetter explained, “It reminded me of a disco ball lighting up.”

The moon was the closest it will get to the Earth this year - and appeared 14 percent larger because of its proximity. At its peak it was about 221,802 miles from Earth. That is roughly 15,300 miles closer than normal.

Scientists describe the super moon as an optical illusion, but what a sight it was!