First glimpses of supermoon
The next two will appear on January 1 and January 31, 2018.
In a treat to stargazers, the moon appeared seven per cent larger and 15 per cent brighter on Sunday night, the first in a series of three supermoons. The next two will appear on January 1 and January 31, 2018.
The phenomenon happens when the moon reaches its closest point to earth. This astronomical body that orbits planet earth is known as a perigee moon.
The moon circuits the earth in an elliptical or oval orbit - a supermoon occurs when the perigee moon is also a full moon.
Tonight's Full Moon is the Frost Moon, the Cold Moon, the Long Night Moon, or the Moon before Yule. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's getting warmer, so happy Strawberry Moon. And oh yeah, did we mention it's a Supermoon? https://t.co/UGkuJ9QNlr pic.twitter.com/EitoKFMxLn
— NASA Moon (@NASAMoon) December 2, 2017
The only supermoon of 2017 is happening soon — here's what a supermoon actually is pic.twitter.com/KxuytioCpC
— Tech Insider (@techinsider) December 2, 2017
1st of a few shots of the #Supermoon this morning as it was setting behind my neighborhood. 2 shot composite. @StormHour @wxbrad @SPACEdotcom #charlottenc pic.twitter.com/oT77jlglQu
— Mark Lowe (@Propnose) December 3, 2017
Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said it will appear brightest at midnight - when at its highest point above the horizon.
In 2016, the moon made its closest approach to earth since 1948. It won't be that close again until November 25, 2034.
My first shot of the #supermoon this morning in #Tampa.Looks like it was celebrating the @TBLightning win from last night. pic.twitter.com/mqzjTgSeaK
— Matthew Paulson (@MattPaulson28) December 3, 2017
Supermoon alert! A full moon bigger and brighter than usual - first of 3 back-to-back #supermoon full moons to come in the next 2 months - will rise on Sunday night, according to NASA. Ready for some serious moon gazing? pic.twitter.com/wvidjMUIDD
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) December 3, 2017
"Supermoon visible from Mumbai on Mulund skyline on Sunday. Photo: Sanjay Hadkar pic.twitter.com/Uade9hyypE"
— Pradeep.P.Yadav (@rtiindiapy) December 3, 2017
Islamabad SupermoonExclusive.. pic.twitter.com/dTuc1lqOOa
— ندیم احمد ???????? (@nadeemawanad) December 3, 2017
Spotted: PK 701 Boeing 777-340 ER AP-BHV heading to Manchester from Islamabad! We're loving the super moon tonight! Are you? #PIA #PakistanIntlAirlines pic.twitter.com/z3PXl78EBh
— PIA (@Official_PIA) December 3, 2017
PASS IT ON! This year’s only full Supermoon arrives tonight. It will appear around 14% bigger & 30% brighter. Photo credit: @DanTVusa #Supermoon #Space pic.twitter.com/qgUQtoPuWF
— Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) December 3, 2017
