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Credit & Copyright: Catalin Paduraru
Explanation:
What is so super about tomorrow's supermoon?
Tomorrow, a full moon will occur that appears slightly larger and brighter than
usual.
The reason is that the
Moon's fully illuminated phase occurs within a short
time from perigee - when the Moon is its closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit.
Although the precise conditions that define a
supermoon vary,
tomorrow's supermoon will undoubtedly qualify because it will be the
closest, largest, and brightest full moon in
over 65 years.
One reason
supermoons are popular is because they are so easy to see --
just go outside and sunset and watch an impressive full moon rise!
Since perigee actually occurs tomorrow morning, tonight's
full moon, visible starting at
sunset, should also be impressive.
Pictured here, a
supermoon from 2012 is compared
to a micromoon -- when a full Moon occurs near the furthest part of the Moon's orbit
-- so that it appears smaller and dimmer than usual.
Given
many definitions, at least one
supermoon
occurs each year, with another one coming next month (moon-th).
However, a full moon will not come this close to Earth again until 2034.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day