Hum Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 The largest full moon of 2013, a so-called "supermoon," will light up the night sky this weekend, but there's more to this lunar delight than meets the eye.On Sunday, June 23, at 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), the moon will arrive at perigee ? the point in its orbit bringing it closest to Earth), a distance of 221,824 miles (356,991 kilometers). Now the moon typically reaches perigee once each month (and on some occasions twice), with their respective distances to Earth varying by 3 percent.But Sunday's lunar perigee will be the moon's closest to Earth of 2013. And 32 minutes later, the moon will officially turn full. The close timing of the moon's perigee and its full phase are what will bring about the biggest full moon of the year, a celestial event popularly defined by some as a "supermoon."You can watch a free webcast of 2013 supermoon full moon on SPACE.com on Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 June 24), courtesy of the skywatching website Slooh Space Camera.more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I can get pix like that with my 500mm mirror lens & distant backgrounds ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setnom Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 This moon is called "supermoon", but it's not that much bigger, only about 7%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 The term "supermoon" originated in an astrology blog by a guy named Richard Nolle, then (sadly) worked its way into stories by the media set. A pity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 7 a.m. ... ? Won't be a night sky for me. :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted June 21, 2013 Member Share Posted June 21, 2013 It'll be almost close enough to reach out and touch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 This moon is called "supermoon", but it's not that much bigger, only about 7%. Yep, it's just an illusion to our eyes caused by the perspective relative to the horizon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 It'll be almost close enough to reach out and touch it. Or close enuff for the moon Aliens to grab you. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 Photos: Supermoon circles the globe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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