General Question

2TFX's avatar

What is a "super moon"?

Asked by 2TFX (438points) January 28th, 2014
7 responses
“Great Question” (2points)

It comes up once in a while but I don’t know what to look for

Topics: , , ,
Observing members: 0
Composing members: 0

Answers

zenvelo's avatar

It happens with the full moon at perigee. Since it is at its closest point to the Earth in its orbit, it looks bigger and it also has a stronger effect on tides.

zenvelo (39404points)“Great Answer” (3points)
Lightlyseared's avatar

It’s a full moon that coincides with the moon being closer to earth due to its elliptical orbit.

Lightlyseared (34603points)“Great Answer” (3points)
Rarebear's avatar

And it’s a misnomer. It’s only a few percent larger than a “regular” moon.

Rarebear (25192points)“Great Answer” (4points)
Lightlyseared's avatar

See diagram At perigee the moon appears 14% bigger and 30% brighter than at apogee.

Lightlyseared (34603points)“Great Answer” (2points)
Rarebear's avatar

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2012/05/02/the-supermoon-stuff-again/#.UugxvNLTnbg

Rarebear (25192points)“Great Answer” (3points)
filmfann's avatar

The Moon is not in perfect orbit around the Earth. It is occasionally closer, and occasionally further away. A Super Moon is when it is full at its closest point to the Earth.

It could also refer to Chris Christy, after losing his swim trunks when he performs a dive.

filmfann (52216points)“Great Answer” (2points)
Dutchess_III's avatar

It’s a fad on facebook. The moon is never as huge as they pretend it is on face book and it isn’t a rare occurrence either.

Dutchess_III (46804points)“Great Answer” (0points)

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

Older »
Does this help or hurt the GOP brand?
« Newer
Why do women wear bikinis?

Mobile | Desktop


Send Feedback   

`