What is a Supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit. As a result, the Moon appears larger and brighter than usual. The average distance between Earth and the Moon is about 384,000 km, but during a supermoon, this distance decreases to around 357,000 km, a point known as perigee.
Origin of the Term
Interestingly, 'supermoon' is not a term used in formal astronomy. It was coined in 1979 by an astrologer, making it more of a popular culture term rather than a scientific one. Despite this, it has gained widespread recognition due to the visual impact of the event.
Effects on Earth’s Tides
Because the Moon is closer to Earth during a supermoon, its gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans intensifies. This results in more extreme tides, with a 19% greater variation between high and low tide compared to normal. However, contrary to popular myths, supermoons are not linked to natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis.
What is a Minimoon?
On the opposite side of the spectrum, when the Moon is at its farthest distance from Earth, about 406,000 km, it’s referred to as a minimoon or micromoon. During this phase, the Moon appears smaller and dimmer. In fact, a supermoon is about 30% brighter and 13% larger than a minimoon.
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