How about a measuring device? Consider making what I'll call a Supermoon Sighter.
The change in distance makes the full Moon look 14% larger at perigee than apogee. A comparison of the Moon at its closest to Earth (left) and farthest. Or hold the image of the November supermoon 2016 in your mind's eye and compare it to the next micromoon on June 8, 2017. Since we can only see one Moon in the sky, there's no way to directly compare macro and micro full Moons in real time, so you'll have to recall the appearance a typical full Moon and compare it to the upcoming supermoon 2016. A perigee or supermoon is on average 7% bigger and 16% brighter than an average full Moon, but during an unusually close perigee, the full Moon can be 12–14% larger than a full Moon at apogee (sometimes called a micromoon) and 30% brighter. Changing the distance causes the Moon's size and brightness to change as well. Not to scale.īecause the Moon's orbit is an ellipse instead of a circle, its distance from Earth varies during the month from about 225,800 miles (363,400 km) at perigee, or closest approach, to 252,000 miles (405,550 km) at apogee. The nearest point is called perigee the farthest, apogee. " The Moon's eccentric elliptical orbit causes its distance from Earth to vary during each revolution. a new or full moon which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. It came into common use in 2011, but appears to have been coined back in 1979 by Richard Nolle, who describes himself as a "certified, professional astrologer." His definition of a supermoon was generous: ". The term supermoon is a recent invention. These bright, close full Moons are popularly called "supermoons," a wonderful description that makes people sit up and take notice. We'll all be crossing our fingers for clear skies, since the next such Moon won't occur until November 25, 2034. That night, skywatchers around the planet will witness the closest, brightest, and biggest full Moon since Januthe year the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series and the 200-inch Hale telescope on Mount Palomar was dedicated. Get ready for the Moon to hit your eye like a big pizza pie on Sunday, November 13th. The Moon will be precisely full on Monday, November 14th at 13:52 UT, which occurs at dawn in the western half of the U.S. Find out what makes supermoon 2016 so special and how best to view it.
Click the image to see a full size version.You won't want to miss the biggest, brightest full Moon in more than 68 years.
With thanks to my SkySafari Pro astronomy app, I put together the above graph which shows you have a ten minute window from 11.30 pm AEST (12.30 pm AEDT 15 November for NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmanian residents) to take your picture. Click the image to see a full size version. Get that wrong and you will have to wait until November 2034 to take the picture. (Posted 14 November 2016) Want ‘bragging rights’ about having a photo of the ‘largest’ Full Moon since 1948? You had better make sure you know when the Moon is closest to the Earth tonight.