A supermoon is seen behind the Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft on the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on November 14, 2016 A supermoon is seen behind the Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft on the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on November 14, 2016 (AFP Photo/Kirill Kudryavtsev)
Skygazers took to high-rise buildings, observatories and beaches Monday to get a glimpse of the closest “supermoon” to Earth in almost 7 decades, and snap dramatic pictures. The big and bright moon appeared at its most impressive as night fell over Asia, but astronomy enthusiasts will be able to see Earth’s satellite loom large anywhere in the world shortly after sunset The phenomenon happens when the moon is full at the same time as, or very near, perigee—its closest point to Earth on an elliptical, monthly orbit. It was the closest to Earth since 1948 at a distance of 221,524 miles, creating what NASA described as “an extra-supermoon”.
Skygazers and photographers headed to the best viewing spots in Asia, where the phenomenon was visible first.The eastern Sydney suburb of Bronte became an unexpected viewing spot as thousands of people armed with picnic mats and cameras packed its small beach near Bondi to catch a glimpse of the supermoon after a Facebook invite went viral. You can see Earth’s satellite loom large anywhere in the world shortly after sunset.
The supermoon was visible across much of India although residents of New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, struggled to see it clearly through the toxic smog that has been shrouding the city in recent weeks. In Thailand, astrologers were variously predicting the supermoon would bring disaster or great fortune.
Factfile explaining the “supermoon” phenomenon, which will be visible Monday night in some parts of the world Factfile explaining the “supermoon” phenomenon, which will be visible Monday night in some parts of the world (AFP Photo/Alain BOMMENEL, Jean Michel CORNU)
Soraja Nuan-yoo, renowned for predicting the 2004 tsunami that killed many in Thailand and other countries round the Indian Ocean, warned that when the moon gets close to the Earth, “natural disasters happen”. The supermoon also means a stronger high tide, something that gets surfers giddy with excitement.
Astronomers say it can be hard to notice that the moon appears brighter than usual. Once it is high in the sky, it can be hard to tell it is larger but on the horizon, it could appear quite spectacular.
To get the best view, Pascal Descamps of the Paris Observatory recommended that people choose somewhere with a well-known landmark in the foreground. Supermoons are actually quite common—there is 1 every 14 months on average.
“But some supermoons are more super than others,” said Descamps. https://www.yahoo.com/news/skygazers-gear-extra-bright-supermoon-073948996.html
http://phys.org/news/2016-11-skygazers-gear-extra-bright-supermoon.htmljCp
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