Supermoon - What It Is and When It Occurs

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SuperMoon - What It Is and When It Occurs The Moon travels around Earth in an elliptical orbit. Because the orbit is egg-shaped (and not circular, where the distance between the two would always be the same), once a month the Moon is at perigee (closest to the Earth) and once a month it's at apogee (farthest from the Earth). Sometimes the Sun, Moon and Earth are all in alignment. When Earth is in the middle of the three, we have a "full Moon." When the Moon is in the middle, we have a "new Moon." Scientists refer to the alignment of these three bodies as a "syzygy." Every now and again, during such an alignment, the Moon is full when it's at perigee (closest to Earth). Scientists call that event a "perigee-syzygy," but most everyone else calls it a "SuperMoon." The next one is due on April 7-8, 2020 (which will be the biggest full moon of 2020). At that time, the Moon will be closest to Earth (221,851 miles/357,035 kilometers away) compared to its average distance of 238,855 miles/384,400 km). A stunningly beautiful Super-Moon event occurred on the 19th of March, 2011—the largest and brightest in nearly twenty years. The video clip at the top of this page, narrated by NASA's Dr. Tony Phillips, explains this awesome "perigee moon" in greater detail. In light of 2011 earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, many people wondered whether the SuperMoon (and/or increased solar-ﬂare activity) that year had any causal relationship to those events. NOAA provides an answer to that question: On March 19, 2011, the Moon was at its closest point to Earth in 18 years, an event that is known as a "lunar perigee." Also popularly referred to as the "Supermoon," this is simply a situation in which the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon. So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent at such times; and this situation has absolutely no relationship to the recent earthquakes, and will not lead to any super or unusually high tides. As for solar activity, the sun is now entering a new 11-year maximum phase after just coming out of an 11-year less active phase. We know of absolutely no correlation between solar flare activity and the movement of tectonic plates on the earth. The third largest earthquake ever recorded (between 9.1 and 9.3 on the Richter scale) occurred in Indonesia in 2004 during a time of minimum solar activity. For anyone without too much cloud cover, the "SuperMoon" of March, 2011, was a sight to behold. Hopefully ... you'll be able to see the next SuperMoon. In April, it's known as a "Super Pink Moon" (not because the Moon is actually pink but because April is known for its gorgeous pink moss—Phlox subulata—which bloom at that time of year). In April of 2020, when the SuperMoon rises against the backdrop of the Phlox subulata, we will see the brightest Supermoon of the entire year. Credits: Video explanation of March, 2011 "SuperMoon," by NASA. Online, courtesy NASA. In-text photo of a SuperMoon by NASA/Bill Dunford. See Alignments to State and Common Core standards for this story online at: http://www.awesomestories.com/asset/AcademicAlignment/SuperMoon-What-It-Is-and-When-It-Occurs See Learning Tasks for this story online at: http://www.awesomestories.com/asset/AcademicActivities/SuperMoon-What-It-Is-and-When-It-Occurs Media Stream SuperMoon 2011 View this asset at: http://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/.

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April's Super "Pink" Moon Will Be the Brightest Full Moon of 2020

April’s super "pink" moon will be the brightest full moon of 2020 By Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.05.20 Word Count 590 Level MAX Image 1. This supermoon on March 9, 2020, called a Worm Moon, was the first of three supermoons in a row. Here, it rises behind the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. A supermoon occurs when the moon's orbit is closest to Earth. Photo: Joel Kowsky/NASA Avid stargazers and newcomers to the nighttime hobby can look forward to a lunar event in April. A super "pink" moon will rise into the night sky on April 7. It will be the brightest supermoon of 2020. A supermoon occurs when a full moon happens on the same night the moon reaches perigee. Perigee is the closest point to Earth in its orbit. Apogee is its farthest point from Earth in its orbit. In April, the full moon peaks at 10:35 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Though the moon is called a "pink" moon, its color won't be any different than normal. It will be golden orange when low in the sky. It will brighten to white as it rises. The name comes from pink wildflowers called creeping phlox that bloom in early spring, under April's full moon, according to Catherine Boeckmann at the "Old Farmer's Almanac." Supermoons are only about 7 percent bigger and 15 percent brighter than the average full moon. The difference between a supermoon and an average moon may not be obvious.
Glossary Glossary

Glossary Glossary Albedo A measure of an object’s reflectivity. A pure white reflecting surface has an albedo of 1.0 (100%). A pitch-black, nonreflecting surface has an albedo of 0.0. The Moon is a fairly dark object with a combined albedo of 0.07 (reflecting 7% of the sunlight that falls upon it). The albedo range of the lunar maria is between 0.05 and 0.08. The brighter highlands have an albedo range from 0.09 to 0.15. Anorthosite Rocks rich in the mineral feldspar, making up much of the Moon’s bright highland regions. Aperture The diameter of a telescope’s objective lens or primary mirror. Apogee The point in the Moon’s orbit where it is furthest from the Earth. At apogee, the Moon can reach a maximum distance of 406,700 km from the Earth. Apollo The manned lunar program of the United States. Between July 1969 and December 1972, six Apollo missions landed on the Moon, allowing a total of 12 astronauts to explore its surface. Asteroid A minor planet. A large solid body of rock in orbit around the Sun. Banded crater A crater that displays dusky linear tracts on its inner walls and/or floor. 250 Basalt A dark, fine-grained volcanic rock, low in silicon, with a low viscosity. Basaltic material fills many of the Moon’s major basins, especially on the near side. Glossary Basin A very large circular impact structure (usually comprising multiple concentric rings) that usually displays some degree of flooding with lava. The largest and most conspicuous lava- flooded basins on the Moon are found on the near side, and most are filled to their outer edges with mare basalts.
Syzygies a Conjunction Or an Opposition of the Sun with the Moon Occurs When the Elongation Between the Two Luminaries Is 0° Or

CHAPTER THIRTEEN SYZYGIES A conjunction or an opposition of the Sun with the Moon occurs when the elongation between the two luminaries is 0° or 180°, respec- tively. Syzygy is an astronomical term that refers both to conjunction and opposition. At mean syzygy, the double elongation, 2η ̄ = 0°, where ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ η ̄ = λm – λs, and λm and λs are the mean longitudes of the Moon and the Sun. Analogously, at true syzygy, the double elongation, 2η = 0°, where η = λm – λs, and λm and λs are the true longitudes of the Moon and the Sun. The determination of the time from mean to true syzygy, ∆t, an essential step in the calculation of eclipses, was historically one of the major problems considered in computational astronomy (Chabás and Goldstein 1992 and 1997). Figure 20 represents a mean conjunction of the Sun and the Moon (indicated by the direction of S ̄ and M̄ ) and its corresponding true conjunction (indicated by the direction of S´ and M´). In this case, the ̄ ̄ mean conjunction (when λs = λm), which takes place at time t, comes M S̅ M̅ S S’ M’ λ’ = λ’s O m Aries 0° ̅̅ λλm = s Figure 20: Mean and true syzygies 140 chapter thirteen Table 13.1A: Some historical values of the mean synodic month Mean synodic month 29;31,50,7,37,27,8,25d Parisian Alfonsine Tables 29;31,50,7,54,25,3,32d Levi ben Gerson 29;31,50,8,9,20d al-Ḥajjāj’s Arabic trans. of the Almagest, Copernicus 29;31,50,8,9,24d Ibn Yūnus, al-Bitrūjị̄ 29;31,50,8,14,38d Ibn al-Kammād 29;31,50,8,19,50d al-Battānī 29;31,50,8,20d Almagest, Toledan Tables after the true conjunction λ( s´ = λm´), which occurs at time t´, so that ∆t = t´ – t < 0.
Who We Are… Syz-Y-Gy [Siz-Ehh-Jee] – N. a Perfect Astronomical Alignment of Three Objects Such As the Sun the Earth And

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Originally published as: Kyba, C., Conrad, J., Shatwell, T. (2020): Lunar illuminated fraction is a poor proxy for moonlight exposure. - Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4, 318-319. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1096-7 Lunar illuminated fraction is a poor proxy for moonlight exposure Christopher C.M. Kyba 1,2,* , Jeff Conrad 3 , and Tom Shatwell 4 1 Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Remote Sensing & Geoinformatics, Potsdam, 14473, Germany 2 Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Ecohydrology, Berlin, 12587, Germany 3 No institutional affiliation, California, USA 4 Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung—UFZ, Seenforschung, Magdeburg, 39114, Germany * [email protected] Introduction San-Jose et al. recently demonstrated that the colouration of barn owls impacts their hunting success under moonlit conditions, and therefore affects their reproductive success[1]. They found that near full moon conditions, the youngest nestlings with white fathers were fed more and were likelier to survive than those with redder fathers. While the study is interesting, the percentage of the moon that is illuminated (lunar illuminated fraction) is unfortunately a poor proxy for moonlight exposure. We suggest lunar illluminated fraction should in general never be used in biological studies, as alternative variables such as horizontal illuminance better represent moonlight exposure, and therefore offer a greater chance of detecting effects of moonlight. Here, we provide a brief explanation of how moonlight varies with season and time of night, and stress the need for greater collaboration between biologists and astronomers or physicists in such studies in the future. Due to the moon’s rotation around the Earth, it rises later each night than it did the night before.
Orbital Resonance and Solar Cycles by P.A.Semi

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What's Hot on the Moon Tonight?: the Ultimate Guide to Lunar Observing

What’s Hot on the Moon Tonight: The Ultimate Guide to Lunar Observing Copyright © 2015 Andrew Planck All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author. Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within. Books may be purchased by contacting the publisher or author through the website below: AndrewPlanck.com Cover and Interior Design: Nick Zelinger (NZ Graphics) Publisher: MoonScape Publishing, LLC Editor: John Maling (Editing By John) Manuscript Consultant: Judith Briles (The Book Shepherd) ISBN: 978-0-9908769-0-8 Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2014918951 1) Science 2) Astronomy 3) Moon Dedicated to my wife, Susan and to my two daughters, Sarah and Stefanie Contents Foreword Acknowledgments How to Use this Guide Map of Major Seas Nightly Guide to Lunar Features DAYS 1 & 2 (T=79°-68° E) DAY 3 (T=59° E) Day 4 (T=45° E) Day 5 (T=24° E.) Day 6 (T=10° E) Day 7 (T=0°) Day 8 (T=12° W) Day 9 (T=21° W) Day 10 (T= 28° W) Day 11 (T=39° W) Day 12 (T=54° W) Day 13 (T=67° W) Day 14 (T=81° W) Day 15 and beyond Day 16 (T=72°) Day 17 (T=60°) FINAL THOUGHTS GLOSSARY Appendix A: Historical Notes Appendix B: Pronunciation Guide About the Author Foreword Andrew Planck first came to my attention when he submitted to Lunar Photo of the Day an image of the lunar crater Pitatus and a photo of a pie he had made.
What Is a Supermoon?

Special Feature What is a Supermoon? he Moon is approximately 384,400 km from the T Earth. That distance can vary, depending on the orbiting of the Moon and the Earth in relation to each other and to the Sun. The diameter of the Moon is 3,476 km but this does not change, whether it is closer to or further from the Earth. Though the physical size of the Moon does not change, every now and then a full moon will seem larger and brighter in the night sky. This happens when the full moon is at its closest point to Earth during its elliptical orbit. On these occasions, the Moon is known as a 'supermoon'. A supermoon can appear to be 14% bigger than the usual Full Moon and up to 30% brighter. A supermoon occur more often than we realise - every 13 Photos courtesy of Robbie Murphy Robbie of courtesy Photos months and 18 days. Weather conditions may not be good Above is the Supermoon of 10th August 2014 compared to an enough to see it however. average moon of 5th April 2014 - as seen from Sherkin Island. The supermoon effect is best seen when the moon rises just above the horizon and when the moon is near a landmark. The landmark gives it scale. On the right is a picture of Spain Tower, Baltimore, Co Cork, taken by Robbie Murphy on 8th September 2014. Ireland had three supermoons in 2014. According to Astronomy Ireland, these three moons were closest to the Earth on 13th July at 2:10 am (356,088 km), on 11th August at 1:38 am (354,157 km) and 8th September at 12:27 am (355,392 km).
A Novel Elysium by Evan Crichton Anderson a PROJECT Submitted To

A Novel Elysium by Evan Crichton Anderson A PROJECT submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in English (Honors Associate) Presented May 27, 2014 Commencement June 2014 1 AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Evan Crichton Anderson for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in English presented on May 27, 2014 . Title: A Novel Elysium . Abstract approved: ______________________________________________ Steven Kunert As a metafictional work of science fiction literature, A Novel Elysium explores the timelessness of both the human mind and its literary surroundings, comparing the self-awareness of its characters to the sometimes tragic or empowering metaphysical realizations of human beings. Within this framework, any concrete place or time is unimportant; temporal and physical locations are created by the relations of the characters to their world and also by the relations of the readers to this text. The subjects are art, intention, pleasure, perception, and existence, and each character comes to know these or become undone by them at the conclusion of A Novel Elysium , just as the reader comes to realize they are being directly addressed, rather than shown an unrelated fictional tale. Drawing on the full imaginative and mnemonic powers of its characters, the work abounds with references both to other literary classics and to itself, creating a semi-circular dialectic about the perceived relationships between past, present, future,
Astronomy Magazine Article

he wild year of 2020 otherwise. And although I don’t keep in con- boasted two solar eclipses: stant contact with every one of them, when an annular eclipse on June an eclipse passes overhead anywhere in the 21 and a total solar eclipse world, I have a good chance of hearing from on December 14. Travel some of my old friends who are eager to restrictions prevented share their new pictures. North Americans, as well At the time of this writing, the next solar Tas many others in the Western Hemisphere, eclipse to be seen from Earth will be total, from viewing the path of annularity that with its peak occurring near the Argentina/ stretched from Africa through the Middle Chile border on December 14, 2020. Be sure East to Pakistan, India, mainland China, and to keep an eye out for images of December’s Taiwan. Fortunately, local eclipse viewers total solar eclipse in future issues of who managed to get beneath the Moon’s Astronomy. Corona shadow captured wonderful images of the Meanwhile, the next annular eclipse will breathtaking event. be on June 10, 2021. Its path will trek from The following is a smattering of shots southern Canada over the North Pole and from last June’s annular eclipse, which I down to the Russian Far East. Observers in monitored into the wee hours of the morn- the northeastern United States will be happy ing with the help of email, the web, and to learn that partial phases of this annular livestreams from the Middle East and Asia.
Moon's Elliptical Orbit

'Supermoon' wows viewers with closest glimpse since 1948 - BBC News By Paul Rincon Science editor, BBC News website 14 November 2016 Skywatchers are enjoying the latest "supermoon", after Earth's satellite made its closest approach since 1948. The UK's best chance to see it is on Monday evening; the Moon rose at 16:43 GMT in Edinburgh and 16:44 in London. To observers, it will appear about 7% larger than normal and about 15% brighter - although the human eye is barely able to discern that difference. The Moon was closest - only 221,524 miles (356,509km) away - at 11:21 GMT. It won't be this close again until 25 November 2034. The Met Ofﬁce's UK forecast suggests it will be cloudy when the supermoon is closest, although it advises people to check their local forecast for the event. As the Moon traces its orbit around the Earth, we see different proportions illuminated by the Sun. Once in each orbit, our satellite is totally illuminated - a full moon. And as the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days or so, it travels in an elliptical or oval shape. This means that its distance from our planet is not constant but varies across a full orbit. Media caption Newsround: What is a supermoon? But within this uneven orbit there are further variations caused by the Earth's movements around the Sun. These mean that the perigee - the closest approach - and full moon are not always in sync. But occasions when the perigee and full moon coincide have become known in popular parlance as supermoons.
The Supermoon Patterns

THE SUPERMOON PATTERNS CONVERGENCE OF LUNAR PERIGEE CYCLES 2013 - 2016 The purpose of this study is to examine the pattern of the phenomenon referred to as the Super Moons that are perhaps a coming prophetic synchronization of time. In 2011 the Super Moon that occurred on the eve of the Spring Equinox started the whole conversation of what is a Super Moon and how often do their really occur and if war- ranted, do they signify anything out of the ordinary. The term has been attributed to astrology and thus the definition and its terms have been set to its protocols. Astronomers do not really agree with this definition. The calculation is based on the Moon being about 90% of the distance of its closest approach to Earth which astronomers call Perigee. According to astronomers, the notion of what constitutes a Super Moon is somewhat ambiguous as there is no set agreed scientific perimeter or concrete definition of what truly qualifies either a Full or New Moon being a ‘Super Moon’. Until such a time, astronomers have thus labeled such Super Moons as Lunar Perigees or Perigee Moons. On average there can be 4 to 6 such Super Moons occurring in a year. Although the Lunar Perigee cycles are consistent and predictable, they usually occur in pairs, what is amazing and fantastic is that the period of 2014-2015 that coincides with the Tetrad of lunar Blood Moon eclipses in that same time-frame have a Perigee Lunar cycle of 3 consecutive Super Moons. This study suggests that these Triads of Super Moons are unprecedented and perhaps are a factor in the cosmic convergence of prophetic time.