SUPERMOON

                               

                                     SUPERMOON

 

 

 

 

Supermoon is not an astrological term. Astronomers prefer to use the term  "perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system" to describe this event.

There is no official term called ‘supermoon’. It was coined by an astrologer, Richard Nolle, in 1979. The technical term for a supermoon is, ‘perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system’. ‘Syzygy’ refers to the straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies.

 This year has already seen four supermoons and there will be another one on December 14, but that will not be as big a spectacle as the one on November 14. The next supermoon like this one will be in 2034, says Nasa.

The supermoon’s hugeness is attributed partially to the “moon illusion”, a phenomenon which affects perception of the moon’s size. Close to the horizon, the moon can appear up to 300% larger than when it’s high in the sky.

 

 

 A ‘supermoon’ rises behind the skyline of Beijing.

 

 

 

 

The ‘supermoon’ rises over the sails of the Sydney Opera House

 

 

The ‘supermoon’ is seen partially obscured by clouds over Manila.

 

 

 

A ‘supermoon’ is seen rising beyond a ferris wheel in Hong Kong. 

 

 

 

 

A ‘supermoon’ rises over residential buildings in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong