Hey folks,
Lava, I've often seen that kind of moon. It always looks like this when it's rising or setting: On the long way the light has to pass through the atmosphere when the moon (or the sun or any other object) is near the horizon the atmosphere filters much of the blue and green light, leaving only the orange and red parts - hence the colour. Additionally, an optical illusion makes us perceive the object much bigger than it really is. Lo and behold: A huge orange or reddish moon, often also distorted by atmospheric effects. That can be pretty impressive!
Here's one pic I found in a quick search.
Miri, that's a great idea! I'd love to do that - much like I've done a lecture on Germanic mythology in Budapest before Miskolc. Unfortunately there are no special events visible from Europe in the next year. There will be a total lunar eclipse on the 21st of December, but virtually all over Europe the moon sets before or during totality.
The Venus transit in 2012 might be a nice opportunity, though, for this will be the last transit of Venus in this century. But we can also do an NTSMS meeting just like that, without special occasion!
Cheers!
Markus
