What is a Supermoon? Here's What We Know
Let's be honest: we've all dreamed of going to the moon at some point in our lives, but for most that will sadly never happen. Thankfully, we can all enjoy looking at the moon from down here on earth. So, whether you're an avid stargazer or simply appreciate the marvels of Mother Nature, witnessing a supermoon is definitely something to get excited about. You may be wondering: what exactly is a supermoon or when and why they occur? Well, let us give you the lowdown on this celestial marvel.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon, known in astronomy as a perigean moon, is a full moon that appears larger than normal. Supermoons appear about seven percent larger than a typical full moon, which isn't normally detectable by the average person. The term supermoon was coined by astrologer Richard Noelle in 1979, but some believe the term is a bit misleading. Noelle defines a supermoon as a full moon or new moon that is within 10% of its closest orbital position to earth. This naturally occurs a few times a year because the moon's orbital path is elliptical or oval shaped, meaning its distance from earth varies throughout the year. The average distance of the moon from earth is 238,900 miles, while supermoons are usually closer to 222,000 miles away from earth. Though you may not automatically register a difference in size from the moon, supermoon do appear brighter than average. A supermoon is generally around 16 percent brighter than a normal full or new moon. So next time you think the moon light is extra blinding, you're probably looking at a supermoon. Another indicator of supermoons is unusually high tides.
When will supermoon occur in 2023?
There will be seven supermoons in 2023, three new supermoons and four full supermoons.
New Supermoons in 2023:
January 21
February 20
March 21
Full Supermoons in 2023:
July 3
August 1
August 30
September 29
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