About Supermoon
- A super moon occurs when a full moon or a new moon coincides with the Moon’s elliptical orbit’s closest approach to the Earth, resulting in the maximum apparent size of the lunar disc as seen from Earth.
- The ‘perigee-syzygy’ of the Earth–Moon–Sun system is the scientific term.
- The word “super moon” has nothing to do with astronomy.
- It comes from astrology, and the concept is fairly broad, resulting in approximately six super moons each year.
- A super moon is formed when a new or full moon occurs when the moon is at or near (within 90 percent of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.
- On average, there are 4-6 Super Moons every year.
- To be called a supermoon, the new or full moon must pass within 361,524 kilometres (224,641 miles) of our planet, as measured from the centres of the moon and Earth.
- All full moons (and new moons) combine with the sun to produce higher-than-average tides, but closer-than-average full moons (or closer-than-average new moons) raise the tides even higher.
- The super moons are accompanied by spring tides.
Source: Indian Express
