“Super Moon” — Elliptical Lunar Orbit to Bring Full Moon Close to Earth Saturday, March 19 (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on March 18, 2011
Saturday will bring a rare 'super moon' event - the last one was 18 years ago
Astrological excitement this weekend… Saturday’s anticipated rare lunar event — a “maximal perigee” — occurs only once every 18 years. The elliptical orbit of the moon will be at its closest point to Earth, making Saturday’s full moon appear much larger and brighter than normal.
Too cool…
Despite prevailing myths and superstitions, there are no connections between a “super moon” and earthquakes, floods, storms, or other planetary upheavals. There were no links to the approaching super moon and the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan last week. Tides, however, do tend to become slightly higher.
No cause for alarm — just enjoy it.
ScienceCasts: Super Moon
“Super Moon” — Elliptical Lunar Orbit to Bring Moon Close to Earth on March 19
From Chicago Sun-Times, Full moon will look even fuller Saturday:
The full moon Saturday will appear to be bigger and brighter than it has in a long time. That’s because of its closeness to earth.
The moon will be at its fullest in the middle of the day, at 1:11 p.m. Even though you’ll have to wait until the evening to see it, the moon still will appear full then — and 14 percent larger than normal and up to 30 percent brighter than normal.
Because the moon orbits the earth in an elliptical fashion, it doesn’t stay the same distance from us. The difference between the closest point — the perigee — and the farthest — the apogee — is a bit more than 31,000 miles. This weekend’s perigee occurs within one hour of the official full moon. The last time the full moon and the perigee were so close was 1993.
From Discovery News, No Link Between ‘Super Moon’ and Earthquakes:
Tonight’s rare lunar occurrence, when Earth’s natural satellite is only a mere 356,575 kilometers out in orbit, brings the moon to its closest position to Earth.
This phenomenon of extreme proximity, known as ‘maximal perigee,’ only occurs once every 18 years. In addition to appearing to be uncommonly big to stargazers, the moon will also be in its full phase. However, what some might see as an interesting astronomical event raises concerns for others.
Despite opinions being dispersed over the Internet that the ‘super moon’ will lead to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions, geologist Bill Burton with the US Geological Survey says that this is unlikely.
“There are just too many factors that go into seismic activity to make that statement,” Burton told Discovery News. “I think you’d be hard pressed to see a difference in tectonic activity during different lunar phases.”
Severe natural disasters such as the earthquake off the coast of Japan last week can raise questions about all of the factors involved. Research geophysicist Malcom Johnston with the USGS says that blaming such events on the moon’s orbit is not a new idea.
“This idea of blaming natural disasters on the phases of the moon goes way back to the Greeks. It has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years,” Johnston said.
These ideas, Burton adds, are largely unfounded. He noted, however, that a higher tide does have a very slight effect on tectonic activity.
From NASA Science, Super Full Moon:
Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It’s a super “perigee moon”–the biggest in almost 20 years.
“The last full Moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993,” says Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC. “I’d say it’s worth a look.”
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