The full moon on Monday November 14th is expected to be the biggest, closest and brightest ‘supermoon’ since 1948. It won’t come this close to Earth again until Nov 25, 2034
It is the second of three consecutive ‘supermoon’ full moons for 2016, and the closest full moon of the 21st century.
The ‘supermoon’ will look unusually large, but that is because it will be about 30,000 miles closer to earth than usual.
The moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical so sometimes it is closer and sometimes it is farther away.
When it is full, and at its closest to earth, (called ‘at perigree’ as opposed to ‘at apogee’, when the moon is farthest away), it appears much larger in diameter.
You should be able to view the moon Sunday or Monday night.
WHERE TO WATCH
Noah Petro, the deputy project scientist of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission at NASA, tells us….
“The difference in distance from one night to the next will be very subtle, so if it’s cloudy on Sunday, go out on Monday. Any time after sunset should be fine. Since the moon is full, it’ll rise at nearly the same time as sunset, so I’d suggest that you head outside after sunset, or once it’s dark and the moon is a bit higher in the sky,”
Science Alert reports…
“The best way to see a supermoon is an area with little pollution and little to no artificial light. Watching the moon sit above mountains also offers a beautiful views, or looking at the sky on an east facing beach can put the moon in perspective without the distraction of city lights.”
If you miss this one, you will have another chance next month to see the last supermoon of 2016 on Dec. 14.
