November’s Supermoon: A Celestial Spectacle
This November brings a captivating astronomical event – a “supermoon,” the brightest adn closest full moon of the year. This phenomenon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon‘s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, a point called perigee. Unlike the farthest point in its orbit, known as apogee, the Moon’s slightly elliptical path means its distance from Earth varies. When a full moon and perigee align, the result is a supermoon.
According to NASA, this alignment can make the Moon appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the dimmest full moon of the year. The term “supermoon” itself originated in 1979, coined by astrologer Richard Noles.
when to Look Up
The peak of the November supermoon will occur on Wednesday, November 6th, at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), translating to 15:20 local time. While visible the evenings before and after, the most stunning view will be on Wednesday evening, shortly after sunset, when the sky offers the clearest display of this celestial wonder.
observing the Supermoon
Enjoying this spectacle requires no special equipment. A clear sky, good eyesight, and an unobstructed view of the horizon are all you need. However, discerning the size difference between a supermoon and a typical full moon can be subtle. Shannon schmoll, director of Michigan State University’s Abrams Planetarium, notes that the difference is “most obvious when compared to other photographs or observations.” Therefore, it’s recommended to view an image of a regular full moon beforehand to better appreciate the supermoon’s enhanced appearance.
Impact on Tides
The supermoon does have a slight effect on tides. The Moon’s closer proximity increases its gravitational pull, leading to marginally higher tides. However, astronomer Lawrence wasserman of the Lowell Observatory emphasizes that this effect is generally too small to be noticeably different in most coastal regions, remaining largely a theoretical consequence.
More to Come?
Don’t worry if clouds obscure the November supermoon! There’s another chance to witness this event. The final supermoon of the year will appear in the sky on December 6th. Keep an eye on the December skies for another chance to experiance this gorgeous astronomical display.
