Supermoon on Saturday Night

On Saturday night (19th March, 2011), people will see the largest moon (Supermoon) in the sky after almost 2 decade. It will happen when moon gets much closer to the earth. On Saturday, the moon will come 8 percent closer to earth compared to usual and 2 percent (3, 56,577 km) closer to Earth compared to the average lunar perigee (364,000 km). Due to its closeness to the Earth, it will be shown 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger in the sky compared to other full moons.

Image source: ecosnobberysucks.com

Some people think proximity of the moon will make natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. They also believe that recently occurred disaster is the cause of supermoon. About this thinking, the scientist said it is a totally non-sense. If you want to see the very big and bright moon, then 7 P.M on Saturday is best time for viewing moon, at that time it will be closest to the horizon and should look "huge and orangey". Sunday morning is also good time to view supermoon. See the moon with naked eye instead of telescope and telephoto lenses.

According to NASA and NOAA, “the most notable effect of a supermoon, which NASA calls a “perigee moon,” could be extra-high tides -- between 1 and 6 inches higher than normal.” About the possible impact on earth, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre’s chief scientist, James Garvin said "The effects on earth, from a supermoon phenomenon, are minor.”