If clouds do not cover the night sky on December 25, we will be witnessing a full moon on Christmas Day at 7:11 p.m. The last time a full moon occurred on Christmas in the eastern hemisphere was in 1996 and in the western hemisphere in 1977. It is expected to happen again in 2034. EarthSky.org (http://earthsky.org) explains why: “A 19-year cycle of the moon is the reason. Amazingly, the moon’s phases recur on (or near) the same calendar dates every 19 years. This is because 235 returns to full moon almost exactly equal 19 years. This is known as the Metonic cycle. So, in other words, the phases of the moon realign (or nearly realign) with the same calendar dates every 19 years.” (The right shutter timing may have you catching the silhouette of Santa’s sleigh. Ho, Ho, Ho!) Lawa ng Buhay (Voltaire Encarnado) Potipot Island, Zambales (Leony Sibug) [...]
