The November "Supermoon" is extra closest to the Earth yesterday (Nov. 14), which seems like extraordinary sight for sky watchers. But exactly what makes this month's full moon so special?
What is November's Supermoon?
The term used to describe the full moon is at its perigee, or closest point to Earth during the lunar orbit will be the biggest and brightest supermoon to rise in almost 69 years. In fact, the full moon won't come this close to Earth again until Nov. 25, 2034.
By definition, a supermoon is the one closest full moon of the year, The distance between the moon and the Earth changes because the moon does not orbit in a perfect circle.
The main reason why the orbit of the moon is not a perfect circle is that there are a lot of tidal, or gravitational, forces that are pulling on the moon. Gravity of the Earth, sun and planets of our solar system all impact the orbit of the moon. These different gravitational forces pulling and pushing on the moon, which gives us this closest point.
The surface of Earth is about 70 percent ocean, which turn creates tidal variations on Earth.
On average, the moon orbits approximately 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. When a full moon is at perigee, it orbits slightly closer, making it appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter in the sky.
Last night's supermoon was approximately 221,524 miles (356,508 kilometres) from Earth. While this is the closest full moon to rise since Jan. 26, 1948, it is not the closest full moon approach on record.
In January of 1912, the full moon was 'just under 100 kilometres closer than the full moon'
Did Titanic sunk because of Supermoon! ?
Astronomers said 'the close approach by the moon on January 4, 1912, would have caused abnormally high tides that might have pushed the fateful iceberg into the Titantic’s path' which cause of Titanic sink on April 15, 1912, killing 1,517 people.
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