The full moon at perigee will give us another superluna 9 … – RTVE

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The superluna view from Olvera, south of the province of Cádiz. REUTERS / Jon Nazca

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Images of the phenomenon of the first of the three moons perigee 2014. EFE / EPA / PETER Komka

CARMEN FIELDS

A superluna occurs when the full moon at perigee, ie, the point at which the moon closer is from the Earth as it spins around it. And this will happen on September 9 at 1.38 GMT (3.38 pm in peninsular Spain.)

It is not uncommon for this to happen. In fact, usually occur three to five superlunas in a year , of twelve or thirteen possible, as explained RTVE.es astrophysicist at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, Miquel Serra Ricart.

“At first glance I do not see”, especially in terms of size, said the expert, which requires, however, that “it is true that brightness may be somewhat higher, between 25 and 30% “.

Yes it happens that an optical illusion that makes the moon look larger when it is produced” on the horizon than when it is above our heads ” says astrophysicist.

So The best time to observe this time will be when the sun sets on Monday 8 September. “By geometry,” says Serra, which clarifies that in some ways the moon is full because it is opposite the sun.

Just a moment

The full moon will take place at 1.38 GMT (3.38 CET Spanish), so another good time to see it will be Tuesday early, just before dawn, “as it is low on the horizon.” Serra says gives the same since the planet is observed , the important thing, obviously, is that the sky is clear.

Although the perception is that the Moon full is kept overnight, the truth is that from the astronomical point of view then it only lasts a moment .

This year, as in the previous three and as will happen in 2015, a total of five superlunas occur. The last August 10 was the highest, due to the distance of the perigee, which was closer to Earth. The last of 2014 will take place on October 8, while the previous ones were on June 13 and July 12.

Tides crisp

During superlunas , the lunar gravitational pull is greater, but the only observable effect on our planet will be more spring tides that , Serra explained

Add to your blog. than some theories suggest that one superluna can produce “geological disturbances” such as earthquakes and tsunamis, but “the reality is that this increase is too small to cause such effects.”

During superlunas, the diameter of the full moon may increase by up to 14% compared to a full moon at apogee . Serra says, “is one-fifteenth of the angular size of our pinky finger,” so that, precisely, is only noticeable through a telescope.

This image is observed on the left the moon at perigee, ie, the closest point and right the lunar apogee, ie longest (Picture: Fourmilab)..