Anyone else see that odd-coloured Moon Thurs night 12th?

Did some observing before and after work last night briefly, and I have to say, the colour of the Moon didn't change all night! Notice the orange tint to it? This is hardly to do with its low position in the sky, is it? Or, that coupled with a lot of dust in the air?

I also noticed, and wondered why, it seems to have been considerably below the ecliptic in comparison to Jupters position... or is it vice versa *=(Jupiter being higher)?

Seanie.

Yes, Seanie, I also noticed the orangey tint, even when the Moon had risen to at least 15 degrees. Weather conditions were very hazy - perhaps that had something to do with it? You wouldn't expect water vapour to create that sort of tint - I wonder were there a lot of fine dust particles that might explain the definite reddish hue visible even when the Moon was well above the horizon?

As regards the Moon's low elevation, I think John Flannery posted some sort of explanation of that on these forums in the last few weeks. Apparently, we're at a point in a cycle where the crescent and half-moon phases reach an unusally high altitude, and conversely the full and new moons are unusually low (I think... ).

Must have a look for that Paul, it almost sounds like contradiction, as its only a 28 day cycle! But it does ring a bell alright...

Must have a look for that Paul, it almost sounds like contradiction, as its only a 28 day cycle! But it does ring a bell alright...

I think John mentioned something about an 18 year cycle of the changing alignments of the Moon and Earth's orbits...

Very noticeable from my sitting room.

It was still very orange after it had easily cleared the row of houses across the road. Did turn whiter later on...