This Sunday, planet Earth will witness an event of astronomical proportions for the first time since 1948.
Due to the complex orbit of the moon and our home planet, on the night of Nov. 13, all earthlings will be privy to view what many have dubbed to be a ‘supermoon.’
“Every month, the moon looks like it goes around the Earth, but it really doesn’t,” said James Hill, professor of astronomy at the university. “Once every ‘moonth,’ we get a full moon … but there can be a time where the moon is closest to Earth, and we get a full moon at that time, so it looks bigger.”
It is during this special period of time that the moon is closer to Earth by a measure of approximately 30,000 miles. However, the moon that can be seen this weekend is even more of a special exception.
“It was 1948 the last time it was this close at a full moon,” Hill said. “It’s not as close as it possibly can get, but when you are talking about 300 miles closer or further out of 250,000 miles, it’s really not that much.”
The resulting view of our lunar friend is about 30 percent bigger than what one can usually observe at this period and phase, creating quite a spectacle for all students to enjoy.
“The actual closest point and when it is full moon are about an hour and half apart, which, again, will make just a few miles difference,” Hill said. “The best time to watch it will be early Monday morning… but if you look just after supper on Sunday night, it will be just as good as Monday morning.”
Hill suggests students look at the moon whenever it may be hanging over the horizon. Its juxtaposition to other objects on Earth creates an optical illusion that makes the moon look much larger than it actually is, further maximizing on the already large supermoon event.
And although the views on that night might be something worth staying up for, Hill emphasizes that the event actually holds very little astronomical significance.
“To an astrologer, he might make something out of it, but to an astronomer, it’s just a little bit bigger and a little bit closer,” Hill said. “Astronomers don’t get excited about it, except it will look pretty.”
For those who want to experience this once in a lifetime view, the moon is predicted to hit its peak size around 7:52 a.m. here in Oxford.
