Kaveri wrote a blog post

2016-11-08

minutes - words.

MOONday Motivation!

Catch the Brightest Moon after 67 years

MOONday Motivation!

Unless you are living in a wormhole or a remote island, there is no way by which you wouldn't have known about the record-breaking Supermoon gracing our skies on Monday, 14th November 2016, also the only Supermoon since 1948 and until 2034!

Let's understand the science behind this super-huge moon that is nearly 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than the normal full-moon. The moon has an elliptical orbit around the earth because of which it is closer to the earth sometimes and sometimes not. When the moon is closest to the earth in its orbit, it is at perigee and when it is the farthest, it is at apogee. The moon at perigee is almost 30,000 miles or more than 48,000 kilometers closer to the earth than at apogee and because of this it appears much nearer and larger in the sky. Supermoon is the name given to this full moon at its perigee. This Supermoon, or perigee moon officially, is special because it is the largest full moon in an 86-year period since it will become full withing 90-minutes of perigee! When the moon, the earth and the sun align along the same plane- which is known as a syzygy- and the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun, a full moon is seen. 2016 will be special, also because it will end with three perigee moons, each of the last three months having one. There was one on 16th October, there is one on 14th November and there will be one on 14th December. However, the Supermoon on Monday is going to be the biggest of them!

The Supermoon can appear to be much larger when it is hanging close to the horizon-an illusion which can be created from the atmosphere and the use of trees or buildings on the ground as a frame of reference for the size of moon. To witness the Supermoon in its fullest, brightest glory, we bring to you certain locations that will give you the best experience of a perigee moon. Just seeing is not enough, seeing at the right time and from the right place is needed:

-East-facing beach: No obstructions will enable you to see the moon as it progresses through the sky unhindered and unrestricted.

-City view: There is no need to choose a specific light location or something, but a high-apartment balcony should be preferable. It is marvelous seeing the supermoon rise behind the skyscrapers and buildings and the way it overshadows them!

-Mountains: The huge moon is a sight to behold as it compares its enormity with the massive mountains.

-Iconic construction: It is undoubtedly a grand sight when the moon dwarfs the great structures or monuments!

-Darkness: It goes without saying that a dark place will reveal the reflected light of the moon in its fullest. That light bright spot amidst the landscape of dark colors; priceless.

So go and secure a seat at any of these places during the given time period:

US and Europe: The moon will be its largest at 8.52 am EST (13.52 GMT)

Australia: The moon will be in its full phase but on 15th November at 12.52 AM EST.

On second thoughts, it is so eccentric that we are all the same species with different cultures, languages and self-wars, looking up to the same moon; some with hope, most with admiration!

Photo Credit : wonderful_places and others