Super Moon Tonight

The moon will be 20% brighter and 50% larger.

From NASA:

Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years.

"The last full Moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," says Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC. "I'd say it's worth a look."

Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. It is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other (apogee): diagram. Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the Moon's orbit.

"The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee--a near-perfect coincidence1 that happens only 18 years or so," adds Chester.

A perigee full Moon brings with it extra-high "perigean tides," but this is nothing to worry about, according to NOAA. In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches)--not exactly a great flood.

The Moon looks extra-big when it is beaming through foreground objects--a.k.a. "the Moon illusion."

Indeed, contrary to some reports circulating the Internet, perigee Moons do not trigger natural disasters. The "super moon" of March 1983, for instance, passed without incident. And an almost-super Moon in Dec. 2008 also proved harmless.

Okay, the Moon is 14% bigger than usual, but can you really tell the difference? It's tricky. There are no rulers floating in the sky to measure lunar diameters. Hanging high overhead with no reference points to provide a sense of scale, one full Moon can seem much like any other.

The best time to look is when the Moon is near the horizon. That is when illusion mixes with reality to produce a truly stunning view. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. On March 19th, why not let the "Moon illusion" amplify a full Moon that's extra-big to begin with? The swollen orb rising in the east at sunset may seem so nearby, you can almost reach out and touch it.

Don't bother. Even a super perigee Moon is still 356,577 km away. That is, it turns out, a distance of rare beauty.

See the ScienceCast of this story on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1yalg_Apdw

I'll stay up just to watch.

The one last night was no slouch.

Didn't look any bigger then any other full moon but then again I don't have a telescope.

It looked really amazing over the Miami shoreline tonight, very large and orange when it was rising, paler and smaller as it rose, really fast.

I don't know how this is supposed to affect people's moods - even more crazy than at usual full moons?

Leah Ireland

There is a little bit of cloud cover here but the moon was amazing thank you Lauren, with a little bit of wind and the gorgeous moon peaking out from behind the clouds the sky looks like something from a hollywood movie.

There is a little bit of cloud cover here but the moon was amazing thank you Lauren, with a little bit of wind and the gorgeous moon peaking out from behind the clouds the sky looks like something from a hollywood movie. Originally Posted by Wayward

''Hollywood movie'', ''gorgeous moon peaking out from behind the clouds'' ? Holy Crap Wayward what was you watching last night, Brokeback Mountain?

Thanks Lauren. It was a spectacular view.

''Hollywood movie'', ''gorgeous moon peaking out from behind the clouds'' ? Holy Crap Wayward what was you watching last night, Brokeback Mountain? Originally Posted by WTF

You know, of course, this begs the question: “How do you know what was in ‘Brokeback Mountain’?” For the record, I don't.

You know, of course, this begs the question: “How do you know what was in ‘Brokeback Mountain’?” BTW, I don't. Originally Posted by I B Hankering

Hot Damn IB.....I haven't seen the Harry Potter movies but I kinda read enough to know it wasn't for me. Why don't you ask some of your buddies over to watch Brokeback Mountain and then review it for us!

TY, L. The whole family was alerted. It was beautiful.

Thanks Lauren! It was so huge and gorgeous, just hanging from the sky. I partied like a rock star (solo!)in NYC...LSE and the Village. Everyone was vibing and just having a great time. Wish you could have been there with me, all gothed out!
xoxoC.

I went to a big party in celebration of it last night. I have to say, I really did not notice a difference, although that was after several bloody marys.

I wish I wish I wish....

''Hollywood movie'', ''gorgeous moon peaking out from behind the clouds'' ? Holy Crap Wayward what was you watching last night, Brokeback Mountain? Originally Posted by WTF

I've kept missing Brokeback Mountain II the WTF years, didn't you get a script credit on that? Just waxing a little sappy when remembering looking at a beautiful moon, while talking to a very lovely woman on the phone.