Showing posts with label Perigee Moon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Perigee Moon. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2013

Perigee/Supermoon

The 2013 supermoon was a remarkable sight last evening as it came floating out of the Lake Superior horizon. It was the largest supermoon this year.

The moonrise got plenty of attention from Lakewalk spectators as it broke into the clear shortly after topping the North Pier lighthouse.


Also known as a perigee moon, the event occurs when a full moon lines up with the Earth and the sun at a specific point in its orbit, called the lunar perigee. That's the point at which the moon is nearest to Earth as it traces its elliptical path around our planet.

Since it's closer to us, the moon appears up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual. Coined by astrologer Richard Nolle, the term "supermoon" essentially means a bigger and brighter full moon.