The massive moon will fill the sky on November 14, next Monday. It is the second of three expected this year; with the first which already happened last October 16 . Another is expected on December 14.
A supermoon occurs when the Earth, sun and moon line up with the moon's orbit of Earth with the moon on the opposite side of the Earth to the sun. November's full moon is also called the Beaver Moon because it arrives at the time of year (in the Northern Hemisphere) when hunters would set traps before the waters froze over, to ensure they had enough warm furs for the winter.
The Beaver Moon follows the full Hunter's Moon of October and the full Harvest Moon of September, both of which are also named for seasonal changes that marked times when people would begin to prepare for the colder months ahead. November's full moon also has been referred to as the full Frost Moon, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
"The supermoon of December 14 is remarkable for a different reason: It's going to wipe out the view of the Geminid meteor shower," NASA officials said.
A supermoon can appear as much as 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than a apogee full moon and Monday's event will see the moon appear closer to the Earth than it has since January 26, 1948. And if you want to see it, one should better take the chance as the full moon won't get this close again until November 25, 2034.
It is possible that the moon will look extra-large to you if you see it near the horizon. This is a well-known effect called the "moon illusion." Scientists suggest it may result because viewers can easily compare the moon to nearby buildings, or because human brains can process objects on the area as larger than objects of similar size in the sky.
Those who reside near the ocean will experience a little larger tide that usual, such "spring tides" occur when the moon is at new or full phase. That is because, at these times, the Earth, moon and sun are all aligned with each other, and the gravitational tugs of the latter two objects act in rythym on Earth's oceans.
A perfect alignment does happen every once in a while very rare and the result is a total lunar eclipse. No total lunar eclipses will happen in 2017, but skywatchers across much of the U.S. will be treated to a total or maybe partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.
November 14, and December 14: mark your calendar and enjoy the super moonlight high in the sky. Do not miss the chance it only comes by a few times around.
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