The full moon on Dec. 4 will appear closer and brighter than usual — a so-called “supermoon.” Yet through binoculars or a telescope, the view can look surprisingly flat. With sunlight hitting the lunar surface head-on, shadows disappear and craters lose definition. For a more textured look, step outside on the nights surrounding the full moon, when the shifting angle of light brings the moon’s mountains and valleys into relief. On the winter solstice, Dec. 21, look for a thin crescent setting in the evening twilight, just before 4:30 p.m. Through December, the moon will brighten and drift eastward, revealing new details.
Each month, Rancho Mirage Observatory astronomer Eric McLaughlin spotlights a notable celestial event. Get the best view during a public stargazing session. For info, visit ranchomiragelibrary.org/observatory.
