For the first time in 18 years, the full moon rising from the east will be a perigee full moon, or “super moon.” What that means, according to NASA, is that the lunar orb is much closer to the Earth than usual.
The last time the moon’s slow spin brought it so near to us was March 1993. It’s not expected to happen again for at least another 18 years.
NASA says the moon will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter. But the key to getting the most out of this celestial event lies in looking to the sky at the right time.
Peer at the moon as it rises over the horizon and it will likely appear “absolutely enormous,” says NASA.
It’s long been lore to blame a full moon for misfortune, and there’s plenty of Internet speculation – some by actual scientists -- that this weekend’s “super moon” triggered last week’s mega-earthquake and tsunami that crushed the coast of Japan.
Though the catastrophic 9.0 temblor was so powerful it shifted the Earth’s axis 6.5 inches, moved Japan’s coast eight feet and slightly shortened the length of our planet’s day, NASA says the super moon had absolutely nothing to do with it.
This full moon will, however, bring higher high tides to the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.
The National Weather Service in Sterling says tonight’s weather should be just fine for viewing the rare super moon. Temperatures will be a chilly but bearable and the only clouds in the sky will be high and thin.
The last time the moon’s slow spin brought it so near to us was March 1993. It’s not expected to happen again for at least another 18 years.
NASA says the moon will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter. But the key to getting the most out of this celestial event lies in looking to the sky at the right time.
Peer at the moon as it rises over the horizon and it will likely appear “absolutely enormous,” says NASA.
It’s long been lore to blame a full moon for misfortune, and there’s plenty of Internet speculation – some by actual scientists -- that this weekend’s “super moon” triggered last week’s mega-earthquake and tsunami that crushed the coast of Japan.
Though the catastrophic 9.0 temblor was so powerful it shifted the Earth’s axis 6.5 inches, moved Japan’s coast eight feet and slightly shortened the length of our planet’s day, NASA says the super moon had absolutely nothing to do with it.
This full moon will, however, bring higher high tides to the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.
The National Weather Service in Sterling says tonight’s weather should be just fine for viewing the rare super moon. Temperatures will be a chilly but bearable and the only clouds in the sky will be high and thin.
