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Super full moon of November 14, the closest since 1948

supermoon-november-14-2016

A super full moon event will take place on November 14, 2016, at 13:53 UTC. The moon will be the largest and closest to our planet since January 26, 1948.

This month's full moon is taking place unusually close to the time of the month when it also makes it closest approach to the Earth in a point called the perigee. Consequently, the Moon will appear slightly larger and brighter than usually.

The moon's orbit is elliptical, which means that perigee is about 50 000 km (30 000 miles) closer to our planet than the other, called the apogee. Syzygy is a name used to describe an event when the Earth, Sun, and Moon, line up as the moon orbits the Earth. As the scientist explain, when perigee-syzygy occurs, and the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth, in relation to Sun, a perigee moon, known as a supermoon event, occurs.

YouTube video

Video credit: NASA

Such celestial collocation has been scheduled to happen three times this year. On October 16 and December 14, the full moon occurs on the same day as perigee. But, on November 14, the moon becomes full within two hours of perigee, an occurrence which, according to some, may make it an extra-super moon.

A supermoon can be 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon taking place in an apogee. Despite this, it's not easy to tell the difference, as the brightness of the moon can be masked by the clouds or strong urban lights. Also, there is no reference point in the sky to provide a sense of length, which makes it difficult to notice the difference, as well.

Super moon of the July 12, 2014. Image credit: Carl (Flickr-CC)

Supermoon, July 12, 2014. Image credit: Carl (Flickr-CC)

The coming full moon event is both the closest full moon of 2016 and the closest full moon to date in the 21st century. The full moon will not approach as close to our planet until November 25, 2034.

Yearly full moon sequences often get named by the seasons in which they occur. The approaching full moon is the second in autumn 2016 and will be named the Hunter's Moon. The Hunter's Moon was known by the Native Americans as the Full Beaver Moon, as the beaver traps were set during this time of the year before the rivers and swamps froze. It was also known under the name Frosty Moon. Also, the November 2016 moon is the second of three supermoons scheduled for the year.

Featured image credit: NASA/LRO

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4 Comments

  1. We live on New Zealand’s lower North Island; Geonet website shows a quake every minute or two. Lots of damage, roads impassable, rail lines trashed, and wharves unserviceable. Feeling dizzy from gravity fluxes; tried to find out what the poles are doing in relation to the Extra-Super Moon. We survived the Canterbury Quakes of 2010 & 2011, but now this seems to be more serious.
    Ken Ring forecasts earthquakes based on planetary alignment and moon distances. He’s been right every time, but yet is sarcastically ridiculed by politicians, media, etc. This situation will go on for weeks….

  2. The Moon’s relative closeness to the earth increases the gravitational or tidal force. When it occurs at New or Full Moons, there can be extreme effects. If it occurs at Eclipses (special cases of New or Full moons) and Perigee, that is the Maximum that can occur. Although everyone knows about tides in the Water, few realize that the tidal force is everywhere and that tides in the earth can at times trigger earthquakes, especially if the angle of the moon’s approach to a fault line is suitable and the particular fault has built up sufficient stress over time.
    The tides in the Air are far more variable and directly affect Barometric Pressure. If at the time of a greater than normal tide coincides with greater than normal Solar Flux (composed of charged particles from Solar activity), that is the time of greatest abnormalities in electrical equipment and possibly also human brains! The Tidal force brings the charged particles down close to the earth’s surface creating environments out of the ordinary for some normal human actions – such as causing accidents.

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