This year will be the first full moon to occur on the winter solstice, Dec.22, since 1866. Because a full moon of the winter solstice occurrs in conjuction with a lunar perigee (point in the moon's orbit that is closest to Earth), the moon will appear about 14% larger than it does at apogee (the point in in it's elliptical orbit that is farthest from the Earth). The earth is also several million miles closer to the sun at this time of the year than in the summer. Sunlight striking the moon will be about 7% stronger making it brighter. This will also be the closest perigee of the Moon of this year, as the moon's orbit is constantly deforming. If the weather is clear and there is a snow cover where you live, it is believed that even car headlights will not be needed. In laymen's terms it will be a super bright full moon, much more than the usual. AND, it hasn't happened this way for 133 years! Our ancestors 133 years ago saw this. Our descendants 100 or so years from now will see this again. Sounds like a perfect nite for a crossing or just a night sail. Mickey and I will be creating a memory with our grandchildren out in Galveston Bay.(No Snow) Who knows they may be around for the next one. Remember this will happen December 22, 1999.....Happy solstice everyone!!!! Debbie McHugh s/v YAGA