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"What Is Super Moon"

"Supermoon: A Phenomenon of Enhanced Moon Size and Brightness"

By Aathi KesavanPublished about a year ago 7 min read
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"What Is Super Moon"
Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

A super moon is a full moon or a new moon that occurs when the moon is at or near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky. The term "supermoon" is not an astronomical term, but rather a popular term used to describe this phenomenon.

What is a supermoon ?

A supermoon is a full moon or a new moon that occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, appearing slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.

super moon way and when ?

A supermoon occurs when the full moon or new moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. This point is called the "perigee." The distance between the Earth and Moon varies throughout the Moon's orbit, and when the Moon is at perigee, it can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its furthest point, known as "apogee."

Supermoons occur approximately every 13 months and can be seen with the naked eye. The exact date and time of a supermoon varies, but it typically occurs once or twice a year. To see a supermoon, simply look up at the moon on the night of a full moon, especially when it is near the horizon.

How does a supermoon differ from a regular full moon ?

A supermoon is slightly larger and brighter than a regular full moon because it is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. This proximity results in the moon appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter in the night sky compared to a full moon at its farthest point from Earth.

What happens during a super moon ?

During a supermoon, the moon appears larger and brighter in the sky because it is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. However, the moon's size and brightness do not change significantly enough to cause any noticeable effects on the Earth or its environment.

The gravitational pull of the moon can have slight effects on the tides, causing them to be higher and lower than average. Some people also believe that supermoons can have an impact on human behavior and emotions, but this is not supported by scientific evidence.

In general, a supermoon is a visually stunning phenomenon that can be enjoyed from anywhere on Earth with clear skies and an unobstructed view of the moon.

What causes a supermoon to occur?

A supermoon occurs because of the elliptical shape of the moon's orbit around Earth. The moon's average distance from Earth is about 238,855 miles (384,400 km), but this distance varies slightly because the orbit is elliptical. When the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit (perigee), it is about 31,000 miles (50,000 km) closer to Earth than when it is at its farthest point (apogee).

This variation in distance causes the size and brightness of the moon to appear different to us on Earth. When a full moon or a new moon coincides with the moon being at its closest point to Earth (perigee), it is referred to as a "supermoon".

How many supermoons in a year ?

Typically, there are about 4 to 6 supermoons in a year. This is because a supermoon occurs when a full moon or new moon coincides with the moon's closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as "perigee."

The number of full and new moons in a year is constant, but the timing of perigee can vary, so the number of supermoons each year can fluctuate.

What will happen if moon dies ?

If the moon were to "die", meaning it were to cease being a celestial body and no longer exist, the effects on Earth would be significant and potentially catastrophic. Here are a few of the ways in which the loss of the moon would impact our planet:

Tides: The moon's gravitational pull is responsible for creating the tides in the Earth's oceans. If the moon were to suddenly disappear, the tides would become much weaker and would no longer follow a regular pattern.

Climate: The moon's gravitational pull helps to stabilize the Earth's axis, which affects the planet's climate. If the moon were to disappear, the Earth's axis could become unstable, leading to more extreme weather patterns and changes in temperature.

Orbital stability: The moon's gravity helps to keep the Earth's orbit stable. Without the moon, the Earth's orbit could become more unstable, leading to changes in the planet's climate and potential collisions with other celestial bodies.

Life: The loss of the moon could have major impacts on the biodiversity of life on Earth. For example, the tides play an important role in the survival of many marine species, and changes to the tides could have significant consequences for their survival.

In short, the loss of the moon would have far-reaching and potentially catastrophic effects on Earth, making it an event that thankfully will not happen in the foreseeable future.

By Levi Loot on Unsplash

How does the size and brightness of a supermoon compare to a regular full moon ?

A supermoon appears slightly larger and brighter than a regular full moon. When the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit (perigee), it can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon at its farthest point from Earth (apogee). The difference in size and brightness between a supermoon and a regular full moon can be difficult to detect with the naked eye, but it is more noticeable when the moon is near the horizon.

The optical illusion created by the Earth's atmosphere makes the moon appear larger when it is near the horizon, and this can enhance the difference in size between a supermoon and a regular full moon.

Why is it a super moon tonight ?

To determine if there is a supermoon tonight, you can check astronomical websites, apps, or weather forecasts for information on the moon's phase and proximity to Earth.

You can also check online calendars for upcoming supermoons and plan to observe the event. Keep in mind that a supermoon occurs when the full moon or new moon is at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, so it's best to observe the event when the moon is high in the sky and not obscured by trees, buildings, or other obstructions.

What is the difference between a super full moon and a super new moon ?

A super full moon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, appearing slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon. On the other hand, a super new moon is a new moon that occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, appearing slightly smaller than a typical new moon.

While a super full moon is easily visible in the night sky, a super new moon is not visible, as it is in the same part of the sky as the sun and is obscured by its bright light. The main difference between a super full moon and a super new moon is the phase of the moon, with the former being fully illuminated and visible in the night sky, while the latter is not visible as it is in the new moon phase.

Can supermoons affect the tides and Earth's environment ?

Yes, supermoons can affect the tides and Earth's environment. When the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit (perigee), its gravitational pull is stronger, causing tides to be higher than usual. This results in higher-than-normal high tides (spring tides) and lower-than-normal low tides (neap tides). This effect is most pronounced in coastal areas and can cause some coastal flooding in areas with strong tidal currents.

However, it is important to note that the effect of a supermoon on tides and the environment is relatively small and is usually not significant enough to cause major problems. Supermoons are one of many factors that contribute to the tides and the overall environment, and their impact is usually dwarfed by other natural and human-made influences.

In summary, while supermoons can have some effect on the tides and the environment, their impact is generally small and is not considered a major concern.

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About the Creator

Aathi Kesavan

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