Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
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Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Andrew Fazekas for National Geographic News
Published May 3, 2012
On Saturday night, the full moon will be closer to Earth than at any other time this year, an occurrence that's been labeled a supermoon.
Due to the moon's egg-shaped orbit, there are times when our natural
satellite is at perigee—its closest to Earth—and at apogee, its farthest.
The term "supermoon" was coined in 1979 to describe a
full moon that coincides with perigee—something that happens about once
a year, on average.
(See pictures of last year's supermoon.)
During this week's perigee, the moon will be 221,801 miles (356,955
kilometers) from our planet, and that close approach will happen within
minutes of the official full moon phase, which occurs at 11:35 p.m. ET.
"As a consequence, this translates into it appearing as much as 16 percent
bigger and 30 percent brighter than other full moons of 2012—not a
huge amount, but definitely noticeable," said Geza Gyuk, an astronomer
at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
The moon's proximity won't have any major effects on our planet, according
to astronomers, who hope to dispel fears that the looming lunar orb
causes natural disasters.
"While we know that during new and
full moons the tides are greatest—and if it's in concert with a storm
surge it might produce unusual flooding—there is no scientific evidence
that earthquakes and other natural disasters are connected," Gyuk said.
(Related: "Titanic Sunk by 'Supermoon' and Celestial Alignment?")
"Supermoons have been happening for billions of years, and nothing particularly
special occurs on these dates—except, of course, for a beautiful full
moon."
Another Supermoon on the Horizon
For photo hounds, the most picturesque moments during Saturday's supermoon
will occur in the minutes after local sunset, as the full moon hovers
above the horizon.
"What you should see is the moon rising, deeply colored and looming over the foreground objects," Gyuk said. (Related pictures: See how a lunar eclipse turns the full moon red.)
Because the size of the moon's orbit varies slightly, each monthly perigee is not always the same distance from Earth.
In March 2011, for example, sky-watchers were treated to the closest
supermoon in two decades, when the moon was a mere 221,565 miles
(356,575 kilometers) from Earth.
(Also see "'Dark' Supermoon Tomorrow: New Moon Gets Closest to Earth.")
And next month the full moon will again roughly coincide with perigee,
albeit one that puts the moon a bit farther away, at 222,750 miles
(358,482 kilometers), Gyuk said. "The full moon will appear to be
just half of one percent different in size," Gyuk said. "So if you
miss this month's supermoon, don't worry, you can see it again when it
is only one percent less bright."
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/05/120503-supermoon-saturday-closest-earth-tides-disasters-space-science/
Published May 3, 2012
On Saturday night, the full moon will be closer to Earth than at any other time this year, an occurrence that's been labeled a supermoon.
Due to the moon's egg-shaped orbit, there are times when our natural
satellite is at perigee—its closest to Earth—and at apogee, its farthest.
The term "supermoon" was coined in 1979 to describe a
full moon that coincides with perigee—something that happens about once
a year, on average.
(See pictures of last year's supermoon.)
During this week's perigee, the moon will be 221,801 miles (356,955
kilometers) from our planet, and that close approach will happen within
minutes of the official full moon phase, which occurs at 11:35 p.m. ET.
"As a consequence, this translates into it appearing as much as 16 percent
bigger and 30 percent brighter than other full moons of 2012—not a
huge amount, but definitely noticeable," said Geza Gyuk, an astronomer
at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
The moon's proximity won't have any major effects on our planet, according
to astronomers, who hope to dispel fears that the looming lunar orb
causes natural disasters.
"While we know that during new and
full moons the tides are greatest—and if it's in concert with a storm
surge it might produce unusual flooding—there is no scientific evidence
that earthquakes and other natural disasters are connected," Gyuk said.
(Related: "Titanic Sunk by 'Supermoon' and Celestial Alignment?")
"Supermoons have been happening for billions of years, and nothing particularly
special occurs on these dates—except, of course, for a beautiful full
moon."
Another Supermoon on the Horizon
For photo hounds, the most picturesque moments during Saturday's supermoon
will occur in the minutes after local sunset, as the full moon hovers
above the horizon.
"What you should see is the moon rising, deeply colored and looming over the foreground objects," Gyuk said. (Related pictures: See how a lunar eclipse turns the full moon red.)
Because the size of the moon's orbit varies slightly, each monthly perigee is not always the same distance from Earth.
In March 2011, for example, sky-watchers were treated to the closest
supermoon in two decades, when the moon was a mere 221,565 miles
(356,575 kilometers) from Earth.
(Also see "'Dark' Supermoon Tomorrow: New Moon Gets Closest to Earth.")
And next month the full moon will again roughly coincide with perigee,
albeit one that puts the moon a bit farther away, at 222,750 miles
(358,482 kilometers), Gyuk said. "The full moon will appear to be
just half of one percent different in size," Gyuk said. "So if you
miss this month's supermoon, don't worry, you can see it again when it
is only one percent less bright."
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/05/120503-supermoon-saturday-closest-earth-tides-disasters-space-science/
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Too much google for you . I think you need to get out & ride that minibike you have for sale . Man your google-fu is working overtime lately .
Freespeech- Posts : 50
Join date : 2012-05-04
Age : 101
Location : Here
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Freespeech wrote:Too much google for you . I think you need to get out & ride that minibike you have for sale . Man your google-fu is working overtime lately .
Yes a little bored tonight and there was no one online, except guests hiding in the shadows.
Not everyone has the time to search for such newsworthy and topical items, so when I find them I post them to save others
the time. Now you won't miss this lunar spectacular. if it were not for this site you may have sat inside while
this show played out above your roof, oblivious.
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Dirtbikepilot wrote:Freespeech wrote:Too much google for you . I think you need to get out & ride that minibike you have for sale . Man your google-fu is working overtime lately .
Yes a little bored tonight and there was no one online, except guests hiding in the shadows.
Not everyone has the time to search for such newsworthy and topical items, so when I find them I post them to save others
the time. Now you won't miss this lunar spectacular. if it were not for this site you may have sat inside while
this show played out above your roof, oblivious.
more than likely still sit inside oblivious . I'l leave gazing at the moon for werewolves & hippies.
You know a lot of people plant their veges by the moon cycles .
Freespeech- Posts : 50
Join date : 2012-05-04
Age : 101
Location : Here
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Don't worry I will still probably miss it as well I have heard of the planting with moon cycles. Not sure of the validity
of such practices, or the arguments for or against. Maybe there will be someone at the Tocal field day tomorrow
discussing such things.
of such practices, or the arguments for or against. Maybe there will be someone at the Tocal field day tomorrow
discussing such things.
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
The Tocal field day!!! That should be a blast, awh typo. So I'm not the only one.
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
It will be a top day, they have all the baby animals that the kids love. Lots of tractors, implements, fencing gear and other farming
paraphernalia as well as things non farming related, ie lifestyle related.
Pumps and solar panels, gates and grates. A duck or 2 and some hay to chew.
You are just a little bitter because you are to far away.
paraphernalia as well as things non farming related, ie lifestyle related.
Pumps and solar panels, gates and grates. A duck or 2 and some hay to chew.
You are just a little bitter because you are to far away.
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Its my favourite time of the month so lookout suckers.
alexisio- Posts : 761
Join date : 2012-05-02
Age : 32
Location : fraser coast qld
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
alexisio wrote:Its my favourite time of the month so lookout suckers.
This may come as a surprise to you Big A but but we ar'nt interested in your periods!
Re: Supermoon Coming Saturday—Not a Threat to Earth
Wow, what a big moon. Ifn ya haven't gone and had a look, and you have no cloud go and do see.
I was going to go and mo the lawn at midnight but couldn't find my sunglasses.
I was going to go and mo the lawn at midnight but couldn't find my sunglasses.
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