- SCIENCE
- REFERENCE
Supermoon
On the night of a "supermoon," the moon appears larger and brighter than any other time–and they're surprisingly rare.
A supermoon is an astronomical phenomenon in which Earth’s moon is full, on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun (a state called syzygy), and at its closest point to the planet (a state called perigee).
The coincidence of these lunar events usually only happens occasionally, even as infrequently as once a year.
Scientifically referred to as a perigee-syzygy moon, a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon at apogee, or the point when it’s furthest away from the Earth.
The colloquial term “supermoon” was created in 1979 by Richard Nolle, an American astrologist. He claimed the lunar event would cause natural disasters; however, this prediction is unfounded.
Related Topics
- SUPERMOON
You May Also Like
SCIENCE
What is a lunar eclipse—and when will the next one happen?
11 Striking Pictures of This Week's Supermoon
How to See the Brightest Supermoon of 2017
STARSTRUCK
How to See the Hunter’s Supermoon
PHOTOGRAPHY
The Brightest Supermoon of the Year in Stunning Photos
Go Further
Animals
- How Moo Deng the pygmy hippo is different from common hippos
- Animals
How Moo Deng the pygmy hippo is different from common hippos - Wombats have buns of steel—and they poop in cubes. Here's why.
- Animals
Wombats have buns of steel—and they poop in cubes. Here's why. - We still haven't figured out these orca mysteries
- Animals
We still haven't figured out these orca mysteries - Why do big dogs die young?
- Animals
Why do big dogs die young? - Why manatees often lurk close to Florida's power plants
- Animals
Why manatees often lurk close to Florida's power plants - This Ecuadorian frog was lost for 100 years—until now
- Animals
This Ecuadorian frog was lost for 100 years—until now
Environment
- How one bag of chips disrupted an entire ecosystem
- Environment
How one bag of chips disrupted an entire ecosystem - Is ‘weather whiplash’ our new normal?
- Environment
Is ‘weather whiplash’ our new normal? - Storm categories don’t tell the whole story
- Environment
Storm categories don’t tell the whole story - What happens when an oil rig shuts down?
- Environment
What happens when an oil rig shuts down? - This little bird tells the story of the East Coast’s disappearing marshes
- Environment
This little bird tells the story of the East Coast’s disappearing marshes - Empowering the educators of Ngamiland, Video Story
- Paid Content
Empowering the educators of Ngamiland
History & Culture
- The history of book bans—and their changing targets—in the U.S.
- History & Culture
The history of book bans—and their changing targets—in the U.S. - How Ouija became the most feared spirit board in history
- History & Culture
How Ouija became the most feared spirit board in history - Why did the ancient Maya drink toxic liquid tobacco?
- History & Culture
Why did the ancient Maya drink toxic liquid tobacco? - Technology that takes wildlife cinematography further, Video Story
- Paid Content
Technology that takes wildlife cinematography further - Here's why Friday the 13th scares us
- History & Culture
Here's why Friday the 13th scares us - The 5 scariest mythological witches from around the world
- History & Culture
The 5 scariest mythological witches from around the world
Science
- Pregnancy transforms the brain—and some changes last forever
- Science
Pregnancy transforms the brain—and some changes last forever - Why BMI fails to measure health — and what works better
- Science
Why BMI fails to measure health — and what works better - Why this type of carb is so good for your gut health
- Science
Why this type of carb is so good for your gut health - How walking can prevent lower back pain
- Science
How walking can prevent lower back pain - These are the best ways to get your protein
- Science
These are the best ways to get your protein - What causes earthquakes?
- Science
What causes earthquakes?
Travel
- 5 of the best culinary experiences to try in Belize
- Paid Content
5 of the best culinary experiences to try in Belize - How beef wellington became a British classic
- Travel
How beef wellington became a British classic - Explore Busan's vibrant restaurants and bars like a local
- Paid Content
Explore Busan's vibrant restaurants and bars like a local - 7 must-do experiences in Italy's stunning Lombardy region
- Travel
7 must-do experiences in Italy's stunning Lombardy region - In Palermo, there's more to an evening walk than meets the eye
- Travel
In Palermo, there's more to an evening walk than meets the eye - Everything you need to know about the new EU visa scheme
- Travel
Everything you need to know about the new EU visa scheme
