Monday, 14 July 2014

Spotting summer's first supermoon






Although the supermoon is not as rare as some other celestial events, it still inspires people to turn their gazes skyward. During the early morning hours of July 12, <a href='http://ift.tt/W3Jwcx'>Marie Sager </a>ventured outside her Los Angeles backyard to spot the supermoon before it faded away.Although the supermoon is not as rare as some other celestial events, it still inspires people to turn their gazes skyward. During the early morning hours of July 12, Marie Sager ventured outside her Los Angeles backyard to spot the supermoon before it faded away.

<a href='http://ift.tt/1wlMvrS'>Rachel Cauvin</a> photographed the supermoon hanging over the Bronx, New York, sky. The morning haze seemed to give the moon a red hue.Rachel Cauvin photographed the supermoon hanging over the Bronx, New York, sky. The morning haze seemed to give the moon a red hue.

As the supermoon rose over the Long Island coast, <a href='http://ift.tt/W3Jykx'>Elias Aliprandis </a>said he was inspired to take a photo because of its amazing beauty and bright orange hue. As the supermoon rose over the Long Island coast, Elias Aliprandis said he was inspired to take a photo because of its amazing beauty and bright orange hue.

"As a photographer and astronomer, a full moon is typically nothing to get excited about for me unless it's going to be somehow unique, such as in color," <a href='http://ift.tt/1wlMvI9'>John Thiel</a> of Astoria in Queens, New York, said. When he saw the amber coloring of the moon, he had to take a photo."As a photographer and astronomer, a full moon is typically nothing to get excited about for me unless it's going to be somehow unique, such as in color," John Thiel of Astoria in Queens, New York, said. When he saw the amber coloring of the moon, he had to take a photo.

It took <a href='http://ift.tt/W3JwsY'>Tim Durkan </a>several lonely hours to get the perfect shot of the supermoon over the weekend in Seattle.It took Tim Durkan several lonely hours to get the perfect shot of the supermoon over the weekend in Seattle.

<a href='http://ift.tt/W3JwsY'>Durkan </a>waited outside all night to photograph the supermoon, trying to capture an evening and day shot of the bright moon.Durkan waited outside all night to photograph the supermoon, trying to capture an evening and day shot of the bright moon.

"Every supermoon and celestial event is an opportunity to practice and figure out what settings work best for different shots," <a href='http://ift.tt/W3Jwt2'>Talia Landman</a> of Orlando, Florida, said."Every supermoon and celestial event is an opportunity to practice and figure out what settings work best for different shots," Talia Landman of Orlando, Florida, said.

"Clouds obstructed the moon until very late. But when I came outside at about 3:00 a.m. it was very bright!" <a href='http://ift.tt/1wlMvIj'>Wanda Gemson </a>wrote in her iReport. She watched the supermoon from Yucca Valley, California."Clouds obstructed the moon until very late. But when I came outside at about 3:00 a.m. it was very bright!" Wanda Gemson wrote in her iReport. She watched the supermoon from Yucca Valley, California.

<a href='http://ift.tt/W3JyB2'>Homer Liwag</a> and his dog Sake sat in the desert in Las Vegas, Nevada, waiting for the supermoon. "This supermoon was striking as usual," he said.Homer Liwag and his dog Sake sat in the desert in Las Vegas, Nevada, waiting for the supermoon. "This supermoon was striking as usual," he said.

<a href='http://ift.tt/1wlMxjh'>Kelli Thompson</a> photographed the supermoon from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. "The airplane bisecting the supermoon was quite unusual and unexpected," she said.Kelli Thompson photographed the supermoon from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. "The airplane bisecting the supermoon was quite unusual and unexpected," she said.

"It was so beautiful. It was larger than other moons. We had a thunderstorm trying to develop right when it was rising," <a href='http://ift.tt/W3JwJx'>Patti Wolff</a> from Phoenix, Oregon, said."It was so beautiful. It was larger than other moons. We had a thunderstorm trying to develop right when it was rising," Patti Wolff from Phoenix, Oregon, said.

<a href='http://ift.tt/W3JyBc'>Janice Wei </a>photographed the supermoon from the San Francisco Bay Area on July 12. "I love to capture the moon. It's very beautiful and powerful when it's full," she said.Janice Wei photographed the supermoon from the San Francisco Bay Area on July 12. "I love to capture the moon. It's very beautiful and powerful when it's full," she said.

The supermoon made an exciting appearance in other parts of the world, too. <a href='http://ift.tt/W3JyBg'>Marlo Cueto</a> ventured to a park in Makati City, Philippines, so that he could find some sky that wasn't saturated by light pollution. Using a DSLR camera, he photographed the moon through the thick clouds floating above. The supermoon made an exciting appearance in other parts of the world, too. Marlo Cueto ventured to a park in Makati City, Philippines, so that he could find some sky that wasn't saturated by light pollution. Using a DSLR camera, he photographed the moon through the thick clouds floating above.

<a href='http://ift.tt/1wlMxjx'>Stojan Stojanovski</a> photographed the supermoon from Ohrid, Macedonia. He photographs the supermoon every year and tries to find interesting ways of showcasing its beauty. This year, he took of a photo of the moon behind a family of storks.Stojan Stojanovski photographed the supermoon from Ohrid, Macedonia. He photographs the supermoon every year and tries to find interesting ways of showcasing its beauty. This year, he took of a photo of the moon behind a family of storks.








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  • It's the summer of the supermoons with three of the celestial events

  • Missed the one Friday night and Saturday morning? Don't worry -- there are two more to come

  • The lunar event inspired iReporters to photograph the supermoon




Did you watch the supermoon? Share your photos with CNN iReport.


(CNN) -- The first of this season's summer of supermoons filled the night sky over the weekend.


July's supermoon happened Friday evening and peaked early Saturday morning, on July 12. But night owls, stargazers and early morning risers will be able to feast their eyes on more lunar showings soon. The next two are scheduled for August 10 and September 9, according to NASA.


The supermoon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same days as its perigee, which is the point in the moon's orbit when it is closest to Earth.









A "supermoon" is seen over a bridge in the center of Skopje, Macedononia, on Saturday, June 12. The phenomenon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day as its perigee -- the point in the moon's orbit when it's closet to Earth.A "supermoon" is seen over a bridge in the center of Skopje, Macedononia, on Saturday, June 12. The phenomenon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day as its perigee -- the point in the moon's orbit when it's closet to Earth.



The moon rises behind figurines on a pavilillon in Beijing, China. Due to it's closer proximity to the Earth the moon appears larger and brighter than normal. The moon rises behind figurines on a pavilillon in Beijing, China. Due to it's closer proximity to the Earth the moon appears larger and brighter than normal.



The moon is seen as it rises above Dojran Lake in southeastern Macedonia. NASA says that there will be three "supermoons" this year, occuring on July 12, August 10 and September 9.The moon is seen as it rises above Dojran Lake in southeastern Macedonia. NASA says that there will be three "supermoons" this year, occuring on July 12, August 10 and September 9.



The moon is cradled in a crescent of the dome of the grand Faisal mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan.The moon is cradled in a crescent of the dome of the grand Faisal mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan.



The moon over Jerusalem's Old City and the Dome of the Rock.The moon over Jerusalem's Old City and the Dome of the Rock.



The moon is seen behind a traditional Ramadan lantern in downtown Beirut, Lebanon.The moon is seen behind a traditional Ramadan lantern in downtown Beirut, Lebanon.



The moon casts a glow on clouds over a forest near Sarajevo.The moon casts a glow on clouds over a forest near Sarajevo.




Supermoon lights up the night sky

Supermoon lights up the night sky

Supermoon lights up the night sky

Supermoon lights up the night sky

Supermoon lights up the night sky

Supermoon lights up the night sky

Supermoon lights up the night sky



Photos: Supermoon lights up the night skyPhotos: Supermoon lights up the night sky






What is a supermoon?

"Full moons occur near perigee every 13 months and 18 days, so it's not all that unusual," Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory said in a statement from NASA. "In fact, just last year, there were three perigee moons in a row, but only one was widely reported."





iReporters share 'super' moon views

He is referring to the supermoon that happened in June last year. It was 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the other full moons of 2013. The lunar event even grabbed international headlines.





The science behind the supermoon

People were eager to take photos of the celestial event and shared their photos on CNN iReport.


Supermoon linked to supercreativity? We think so


New York City resident Rachel Cauvin says seeing the supermoon was an incredible spectacle. She woke up early Saturday morning to watch it from the balcony of her Bronx apartment.


An astronomy fan, she photographed the supermoon hanging over the city that morning. Because of the haze, the moon was not as bright as she hoped it would be, but she says it was still a beautiful sight. She has marked her calendar for the next two showings in August and September.


Sometimes the supermoon is difficult to distinguish from a full moon because clouds can mask the difference in brightness and size, according to NASA.


But Southern California resident Marie Sager had to take a chance to catch the much-anticipated supermoon on July 12 and even set her alarm back so she wouldn't miss it. She trekked out into her Los Angeles backyard to see the glowing supermoon still lingering in the Saturday morning sky.


Your stunning photos of starry skies


She had photographed it late Friday evening, but she says it was much larger and brighter Saturday morning, so missing out on a few extra hours of sleep was worth it.


She is also looking forward to the other supermoons this summer. "I am a stargazer and a moon watcher, and hopefully, weather permitting, I'll he there waiting and watching," she said.


Even though Talia Landman has seen the supermoon countless times, the educator at the Kennedy Space Center was standing outside her Orlando, Florida, home hoping to get a glimpse of the glowing moon.


What draws her out to see these astronomical events is their uniqueness, she explained. "Every supermoon is a different experience. A lot of factors play into it, such as location, weather, time of night," she said.


"This one was just as beautiful as the others. Maybe even a little brighter," she said.


CNN's Dana Ford and Kristian Monroe contributed to this story.



Massacre survivor quotes Dumbledore





  • NEW: Grandfather credits Cassidy Stay with saving 20 lives by alerting authorities

  • NEW: He says she played dead after being shot, then told police others were in danger

  • The teenager speaks out for the first time, after her parents and 4 siblings were killed

  • Cassidy quotes from Harry Potter: "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times"




(CNN) -- Cassidy Stay has seen the worst -- the brutal killings of her parents and siblings, ages 4 to 13, in their Texas home.


On Saturday, the 15-year-old quoted Dumbledore, the wise man from the Harry Potter series, in hopes of finding some good amid the horror.


"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times," Cassidy said, citing J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "if one only remembers to turn on the light."


The remarks -- at a public memorial for her family -- were the teenager's first public comments since she emerged as the lone survivor from the carnage in her family's Spring home.





Shooting spree suspect collapses in court




Family: We have to forgive mass shooter




Cops: Mass shooter intended to kill more




Police: Man kills 4 children, 2 adults

Authorities say that Ronald Lee Haskell barged into residence on Wednesday demanding to know the whereabouts of his estranged wife.


She was not there, but the Stay family was. And soon, in a barrage of bullets, six of them were dead.


They included Cassidy Stay's parents, Stephen and Katie, as well as her 7- and 9-year-old sisters and 4- and 13-year-old brothers.


Authorities: Man kills 4 children, 2 adults


Cassidy was targeted as well, with the Harris County Sheriff's Office indicating the shooting left her in critical condition. By Saturday, though, she was not only out of the hospital but standing tall, wiping away tears as people remembered her parents and siblings and offered support to her.


Thanking the first responders, doctors and nurses who'd helped her, the teenager said, "I am feeling a lot better and am on a very straightforward path to a full recovery."


Unfortunately, her family isn't coming back.


Reminders of this were everywhere, including a board that had hearts with their names. Cassidy mentioned them too, right after quoting Dumbledore.


"I know that my Mom, Dad, Brian, Emily, Becca and Zach are in a much better place, and that I will be able to see them again one day," she said at the gathering.


Accused killer collapses in courtroom


Grandfather: Cassidy saved 20 lives


At the same ceremony outside Lemm Elementary School in Spring, Roger Lyon remembered his daughter Katie, his son-in-law and grandchildren, saying, "We will miss them in the morning and in the evening."


"The best way, we think, (to move on) is to concentrate on the living, to cling to hope of life that has emerged in this terrible darkness."


He was talking about Cassidy.


Lyon then recounted what the teenager had done -- how she'd been shot and how she'd seen her parents and siblings shot. After all that, her grandfather said Cassidy "had the presence of mind to remain quiet and to play dead."


Once the coast was clear, the teen got up, called police "and told them we were in danger."


"Without her courage and quick thinking, we might be mourning the deaths of 20 -- yes, I said 20 -- people today, including myself and nearly all of our children and grandchildren," Lyon added, crediting Cassidy for alerting authorities who headed off Ronald Lee Haskell and arrested him after a three-hour long standoff.


While in the hospital, Cassidy talked about angels she'd learned in Sunday school are sent to "protect his children in times of great need," according to Lyon.


"After she had been shot on Wednesday, she said it felt as though the angels were there with her, putting their hands over her mouth -- whispering to her to be quiet," her grandfather said. "'I was quiet when I needed to be quiet,' she told us."


Between the balloons being released into the sky in the Stay family's memory, in between all of the tears and the hugs among those in the crowd who knew them, there were many reminders of Cassidy's actions -- and not just from her grandfather -- on Saturday.


Her name, after all, was among those on the board with those of her slain family members.


Hers was the only heart that wasn't red. And it was the only one with extra words added: "Our hero."


Police: N.C. grandfather shoots father, kid kills grandpa


Man questioned in fatal Tennessee armory shooting


Deputy's fatal shooting of boy carrying fake rifle ruled lawful


CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin, John Branch, Jason Hanna, Ed Payne, Dave Alsup and Marlena Baldacci contributed to this report.



Shipwrecked Costa Concordia is ‘floating’


The infamous Costa Concordia is floating again for the first time in two and a half years. The 114,500-tonne vessel will be raised by another metre before being dragged out to sea and brought to a port in Genoa. There it will be broken up and sold for scrap.


Thirty two people died when the ship sunk off the Italian island of Giglio. Last September, it was hauled into an upright position after a massive 19 hour operation.


It is one of the biggest salvage operations of all time. Currently, compressed air is being blasted into 30 huge tanks, attached to the vessel’s sides. This is forcing out the seawater and refloating the ship.


“The ship is floating,” Franco Porcellacchia, chief engineer,stated to the crowd of media on the island.


“It is now about one metre off the underwater platform it was lying on.”


Meanwhile, the ship’s Captain Francesso Schettino is on trial for manslaughter. The media have dubbed the infamous captain as ‘Captain Coward’ after he fled the ship despite orders from the coastguard to return and help the rescue operation.


The captain’s defence is that it was “too dark to see anything” and that he accidently “tripped and fell into a lifeboat.”