|
Super moon next week promises sky spectacle
It would be good if any members with a camera that is better than my Box Brownie could take some shots, especially as it is coming up.
Next Monday the moon will be closer to earth than at any time since January 1948.
“On November 14 the Cyprus public can enjoy a bright full moon which is 30 per cent brighter and 14 per cent larger than an average full moon,” Chrysanthos Fakas, President of the Astronomical Society of Cyprus said.
“The public now calls it ‘super moon’, a terminology which is not scientific,” he added, “but Nasa says it will adopt it since the world wants to call it that.”
A good time to observe the phenomenon will be when the moon is low on the horizon. It can look much bigger than when it is high up in the sky, an optical illusion as it is comparable with buildings and other landmarks that surround it.
The apparent variation in the moon’s size is due to the fact that it has an elliptical, not circular orbit around the earth, unlike most other bodies roaming the sky.
At its closest, it is 48,280 kilometres closer to earth than when it is furthest away.
Super moons are actually not that rare, but 2016 is unique as it actually has three. One was on October 16, and apart from the one on Monday people will be able to watch one on December 14, however, the one next week is by far the biggest.
_________________
Dave
Moira And Dave
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
