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Credit & Copyright: Catalin Paduraru
Explanation:
What is so super about tomorrow's supermoon?
Tomorrow, a full moon will occur that appears slightly larger and brighter than
usual.
The reason is that the Moon's fully illuminated phase occurs within a short time
from perigee - when the Moon is its closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit.
Although the precise conditions that define a
supermoon vary, given one definition, tomorrow's will be the third supermoon
of the year -- and the third consecutive month that a supermoon occurs.
One reason
supermoons are popular is because they are so easy to see --
just go outside and sunset and watch an impressive full moon rise!
Since perigee actually occurs today, tonight's sunset
moonrise should also be impressive.
Pictured above, a
supermoon from 2012 is compared
to a micromoon -- when a full Moon occurs near the furthest part of the Moon's orbit
-- so that it appears smaller and dimmer than usual.
Given many definitions, at least one
supermoon
occurs each year, with the next being 2015 August 30.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day