2013 Supermoon: Closest Approach to Earth Peaks on June 22-23
On June 22 and 23, the Supermoon will make its closest approach to planet Earth appearing full, bright and huge in the eastern sky at a distance of about 356,000km compared to the average measured distance at 384,000km. Viewers can check out the unbelievably large 2013 Supermoon at a low horizon.
The Moon rises up in the sky on the opposite side of the Sun and the sky watchers can enjoy looking at the Supermoon throughout the night from the early hours of the evening until crack of dawn. Furthermore, the extra-close full Moon is most likely to accompany in large tides and strong winds down the ocean shorelines for the next number of days.
The Supermoon size will begin to look smaller as it rises above the sky due to the decreasing distance to Earth. A simple method can be used to check that the Moon's size is still the same: Stretch an arm and hold out the thumb up to the Moon then close one eye to observe that the thumb still covers the size of the Moon.
"Supermoon" became a famous term used instead of the "Perigee Moon" that the astronomers prefer. The phenomenon simply refers to a full Moon overlapping with the perigee or the closest point to Earth.
Though some reports point out that the Supermoon is a rare occurrence, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) claims that the space phenomenon happens at an average of once a year where the Moon turns full within a couple of hours on perigee.
In 2012, the Supermoon that became visible on May 6 has gathered the attention of the spectators. After the June 22-23 peak, the Supermoon will not be visibly close again to Earth until August 2014.